JP2005000584A - Profit imparting information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a profit imparting information providing device capable of performing novel profit imparted from a game machine or its vicinity. <P>SOLUTION: The profit imparting information providing device 30 is provided for each game machine and comprises a profit imparting information storage means for storing profit imparting information for imparting profits to a player such as a coupon and a gift certificate as electronic data and a profit imparting information read means for reading the profit imparting information from information stored in the profit imparting information storage means by the establishment of a prescribed profit imparting condition. Further, the profit imparting information providing device 30 is provided with a profit imparting information output means (infrared ray light emitting part 33) for outputting the profit imparting information read in the profit imparting information read means as the information which can be acquired by a portable communication terminal, and is constituted so as to make selective input from the player possible further. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a profit granting information providing apparatus that provides a profit to a player.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with respect to a game on a gaming machine, several game forms that give some benefit to a player have been considered. In general, when a big hit is won, a game media such as a game ball or medal is paid out to give a player a profit, and the player plays a game with that as a target. Do. However, there is a risk that the player will get bored with only the provision of game media, so a method of enhancing interest by improving the presentation performance and accompanying profits (for example, setting to a probability variation state) is used. It has been.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-286609 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the prior art as described above, there is a possibility that the game becomes uniform with the goal of only winning such as big hits and probability fluctuations. In extreme cases, there is a case where the player concentrates only on the jackpot lottery effect or the probability variation lottery effect, and does not concentrate on the game because there is no possibility that the profits are given or not during other periods. Providing profits to players is generally provided with game media, but simply providing game media makes profits uniform and does not provide fun or satisfaction. There are also concerns.
[0005]
On the other hand, although it is not the structure which gives profit, the technique which displays advertisement information and promotes the thing etc. which concern on the advertisement is provided by patent document 1. FIG. According to such a technique, the player can know advertisement information that is useful to him / her in some cases, and leads to suppression of “getting bored”. Moreover, it becomes a useful configuration for the advertisement provider because the advertisement can be effectively advertised using the gaming machine.
[0006]
However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 merely displays advertisement information, it has a configuration that is useful to some extent for an advertisement provider, but is not necessarily useful for a player. In other words, since it is not a configuration in which a profit is directly given to the player, there is a possibility that the player does not feel so much profited.
[0007]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a profit providing information providing apparatus capable of giving a novel profit and effectively increasing the satisfaction of a player.
[0008]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
Effective means for solving the above-mentioned problems and their functions and effects are shown below.
Means 1. A profit granting information providing apparatus for providing a predetermined profit as information to a player,
Corresponding to the gaming machine, it is provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and outputs profit granting information for giving a profit to the player such as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate to a predetermined portable communication terminal. Providing profit grant information output means,
The profit grant information output as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal, the profit grant information read based on the establishment of a predetermined profit grant condition from the profit grant information storage means in which the profit grant information is stored as electronic data Configured to output from the means,
Furthermore, a player input means configured to allow information input by the player,
A profit granting information providing apparatus comprising: selecting means for making a predetermined selection regarding the profit granting information based on information input by the player input means.
[0009]
According to the configuration of the means 1 (that is, the configuration of claim 1), the player directly acquires the profit grant information from the profit grant information providing device provided in or near the gaming machine using the mobile communication terminal. Can be a useful configuration. In addition, the player can input information, and based on the input information, it is configured to make a predetermined selection related to the profit granting information, thus reflecting the player's intention regarding the provision of profit granting information It is easy to do.
[0010]
It should be noted that the “profit granting information” in the present invention can include both information that is beneficial to the player or information that may be beneficial to the player. “Profitable information” includes gift certificates, book coupons, beer tickets, travel tickets and other valuable tickets, exchange tickets for products and services, discount tickets for products and services, lottery tickets for products and services (any product) Information that functions as a good-for-money ticket (for example, a good-for-money for winning), etc., etc. Therefore, any player can be employed as long as it finally gives a player some kind of profit. This information may function as these by a single data, or may function as these by a plurality of data.
[0011]
"Information that may be profitable" is given some benefit by using the profit granting information, such as lottery tickets for goods and services, fortune tickets to perform fortune, coupon coupons for the limited audience It is information that may be possible and in some cases may not ultimately be profitable.
[0012]
Moreover, as the information structure of profit grant information, after the profit grant information is acquired by the mobile communication terminal, image information that can be presented at a store or the like (for example, as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate of the mobile communication terminal) It may be a data structure that can be displayed as image information (displayed on a screen, etc.), or a data structure that transmits and uses the profit granting information to a predetermined device such as a store.
[0013]
The player input means may be operation means such as buttons, levers, touch panels, etc., and may be voice input means such as a microphone, or information input means such as a communication interface (for example, an infrared interface or a Bluetooth module). May be.
[0014]
The “predetermined selection related to the profit granting information” performed by the selection means may be “selection of profit granting information to be provided” or “selection of profit granting information that can be provided” and is related to the profit granting information. For example, “selection of selection information to be provided” or “selection of selection information that can be provided” may be used. In short, any configuration may be used as long as a predetermined selection related to the profit grant information is made by input from the player and the player's intention is easily reflected.
[0015]
For example, profit grant information to be provided based on an input by the player input means may be selected by the selection means and output by the profit grant information output means. As a specific example, when profit granting information or information corresponding to certain profit granting information (for example, advertisement information related to profit granting information) is specified by the player input means, the profit granting information is selected. The means may be selected and provided, or a predetermined lottery process may be performed by the selection means based on an input by the player input means, and profit grant information selected by the lottery process may be provided. Good. Further, based on the input by the player input means, a selection screen (for example, an index list reflecting the input information) corresponding to the input is selected and displayed, and the selection screen is further displayed. Profit grant information reflecting the input may be provided based on the input.
[0016]
Mean 2. While it is configured to be able to provide multiple types of profit grant information,
At least one of the profit granting information can be specified by the player input means,
The profit granting information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selecting means selects the designated profit granting information as profit granting information to be provided.
[0017]
In this way, a profit according to the player's preference is provided, and the serviceability is further enhanced. For example, it is configured to display a plurality of types of profit granting information and profit granting index information, and the player can select any kind of index by performing an input operation, and the selected benefit granting If the information is provided without omission or is provided in accordance with a predetermined profit granting condition, it becomes an effective configuration that satisfies the player's wishes.
[0018]
In addition, in the thing described in the means 2, it may be configured such that profit granting information designated by the player is output, and a lottery is performed based on the designation by the player, and a specific lottery result The selected benefit grant information may be output on the condition that is obtained.
[0019]
Means 3. A predetermined display device, and display control means for performing display control of the display device,
The profit according to means 1 or 2, wherein the display control means performs control so that profit display related information related to the profit grant information is displayed on the display device based on establishment of the profit grant condition. Grant information providing device.
[0020]
If it does in this way, information about profit grant information can be displayed using a display device, and various information display is attained in connection with provision of profit grant information. Examples of the display of “profit-related information related to profit-given information” include, for example, advertisement information about products and services related to profit-given information, advertisement information of manufacturers that provide profit-given information, and explanation information about profit-given information (for example, Explanatory information explaining the contents of the profit granting information, explanatory information such as precautions regarding the profit granting information, explanation information regarding the acquisition operation of the profit granting information, etc.).
[0021]
The explanation information for explaining the contents of the profit grant information includes, for example, information that displays the contents, type, group, etc. of the profit grant information. Specifically, a configuration in which these contents, types, groups, and the like are displayed in a selectable manner corresponds to this.
[0022]
Means 4. 4. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control means performs control so as to display selection information for performing selection input related to the profit grant information as the profit grant related information.
[0023]
In this way, selection input can be performed smoothly based on the selection information, and it is possible to assist the player in understanding selection. Specifically, in the profit granting information providing apparatus of means 4, when the player input means performs designation input for designating any profit granting information in the selection information displayed on the display device, It can be configured such that profit grant information corresponding to the designation is output.
[0024]
Means 5. Comprising selection information display timing setting means for setting a timing for displaying the selection information;
The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display control means performs control to display the selection information at a timing based on the selection information display timing setting means.
[0025]
In this way, it is possible to give a characteristic to the display timing of the selection information. The display timing is the timing at which a specific gaming state occurs (for example, the occurrence timing of a big hit state, reach state, reach notice state, probability variation state, short time state, etc.), or the timing at which the gaming state reaches a predetermined progress state (for example, For example, the timing when the number of start times reaches a predetermined number).
[0026]
Means 6. A game state detecting means for detecting the game state;
The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the selection information display timing setting means determines that the gaming state becomes a predetermined state as the display timing of the selection information.
[0027]
If it does in this way, it will become a suitable composition which can display information for selection at timing based on a game state, and it will be possible to display information for selection in connection with a game.
[0028]
Mean 7 Multiple profit granting information is organized into groups,
The display control means performs control so as to selectably display profit group indexes related to the divided profit groups as the selection information,
Any one of means 4 to means 6 can provide profit granting information corresponding to the designated profit group based on any profit group index designated by the player input means. The profit granting information providing apparatus according to the above.
[0029]
In this way, profit grant information regarding the genre according to the player's request is provided.
[0030]
Means 8. The display control means performs control so that an individual index of each profit granting information (hereinafter also referred to as profit granting information individual index or simply individual index) is displayed as selectable information on the display device. Done
Any one of means 4 to 7 can provide profit granting information related to the designated individual index based on any individual index designated by the player input means. Profit granting information providing device.
[0031]
If it does in this way, profit grant information which reflected a player's demand more will be provided.
[0032]
Means 9. The display control means includes advertisement display control means for performing control so as to display advertisement information related to the profit grant information as the profit grant related information,
Means 3 is characterized in that a predetermined selection is made by the selection means based on information input by the player input means, and the profit-giving information related to the display of the advertisement information is provided according to the selection. The profit-giving information providing device described.
[0033]
If it does in this way, the usefulness of advertising information can be raised and it will become the composition with a big advertising effect. In other words, since it is a configuration in which specific profits are given rather than just advertisements, the satisfaction of the player can be increased. “Advertisement information related to profit grant information” may be, for example, advertisement information about a product or service that is the target of profit grant by profit grant information, and is advertisement information about a company providing profit grant information. Also good.
[0034]
Means 10. The display control means includes advertisement display control means for performing control so as to display advertisement information related to the profit grant information as the profit grant related information,
The advertisement display control means is configured to be able to display a plurality of advertisement information, while the selection information is configured to allow the player to select advertisement information or a group of advertisement information,
Based on the input by the player input means, the selection means makes a selection in the selection information, advertisement information corresponding to the selection is displayed, and profit granting information related to the displayed advertisement information is displayed. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 4 to 6, characterized in that it can be provided.
[0035]
In this way, the advertisement information desired by the player or the advertisement of the desired group can be provided, so that an unmatch with the player's wish is unlikely to occur. Specifically, when some input is made in the selection information (for example, designation of an advertisement or input of some information related to an advertisement), advertisement information reflecting the input (for example, advertisement information corresponding to the input or input) Related input information) can be selected by the selection means, and profit grant information related to the advertisement information can be provided.
[0036]
Means 11. It is configured to display multiple advertising information,
The advertisement display control means includes
Control is performed so that an index related to the advertisement information can be selected and displayed as the selection information,
11. The profit granting information providing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein advertisement information relating to the designated index can be provided based on any index designated by the player input means.
[0037]
This makes it easier for the player to select the desired advertisement information and more easily reflects the player's intention. Specifically, the advertisement information related to the specified index may be directly displayed, and the selection information corresponding to the specified index is displayed (for example, the index of the ad group is displayed, and the specified group is displayed. For example, the information for selection according to the above may be displayed), and the advertisement information may be displayed based on further input information.
[0038]
Means 12. The plurality of advertisement information is grouped,
The advertisement display control means performs control so that an advertisement group index related to the advertisement group can be selected and displayed as an index related to the advertisement information,
12. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein advertisement information relating to the designated advertisement group can be provided based on any one of the advertisement group indexes designated by the player input means.
[0039]
In this way, it is possible to display advertisements of a group desired by the player, and in particular, a configuration that is convenient for a player who wants to see various advertisements of a group or a player whose specific target is not determined. It becomes. Specifically, advertisement information related to a specified advertisement group may be directly displayed, selection information corresponding to the specified advertisement group is displayed, and advertisement information is displayed based on further input information. You may do it.
[0040]
In addition, in the thing described in the means 12, you may make it display 1 type or 2 types or more of advertising information of the selected group irrespective of a player's intention, conversely, Further selection may be prompted in the selected group. In this case, specific advertisement information may be selected as in the means 13, or a further subgroup may be selected.
[0041]
Means 13. The advertisement display control means includes
As an index related to the advertisement information, control is performed so that an individual index of each advertisement information (hereinafter also referred to as an advertisement index) can be selected, and any advertisement index is designated by the player input means. Based on the above, control is performed so that the advertisement information related to the designated advertisement index is displayed on the display device based on establishment of a predetermined advertisement display condition,
On the other hand, the selection means selects profit grant information related to a product or service advertised by the advertisement information displayed on the display device, and the selected profit grant information is output by the profit grant information output means. The profit granting information providing apparatus according to the means 11 or the means 12.
[0042]
In this way, since specific advertisement information can be selected, more detailed selection can be performed, and the player's intention can be accurately reflected.
[0043]
Means 14. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to means 13, comprising an advertisement mode switching means for switching between an advertisement mode in which the advertisement information is displayed and a normal mode in which the advertisement information is not displayed. .
[0044]
In this way, since the mode can be switched as necessary, for example, it is possible to omit the advertisement for a player who does not need the advertisement.
[0045]
Means 15. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to means 14, further comprising advertisement information storage means for storing the advertisement information in a state in which the advertisement information can be updated.
[0046]
By doing so, advertisement information is stored in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and can be changed as necessary. For example, this is particularly effective when advertising a limited time product or a product affected by a fashion.
[0047]
Means 16. Advertisement information update for updating information stored in the advertisement information storage means when the advertisement update information for updating the advertisement information is input by information input by a predetermined input means or information input via a communication network The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising means.
[0048]
Thus, if the stored advertisement is updated based on the input of the advertisement update information for updating the advertisement information, the advertisement information can be easily maintained. The predetermined input means may be the same as or different from the above player input means.
[0049]
Means 17. Means 9 thru | or means provided with the advertisement information acquisition means which acquires the said advertisement information via a communication network from the advertisement information storage means outside the said game machine which memorize | stores the said advertisement information in the state which can be updated 14. The apparatus for providing benefit information according to any one of 14 above.
[0050]
In this way, the configuration is effective when it is difficult to provide advertisement information storage means in the gaming machine. More specifically, based on the establishment of a predetermined advertisement display condition, a server including the advertisement information storage means (for example, a predetermined server such as a hall server, a gaming machine manufacturer server, a profit grant information providing manufacturer server) The advertisement display request information is transmitted to the server, and the advertisement information is transmitted to the request source from the server that has received the advertisement display request information. Further, the advertisement information may be displayed without making such a request.
[0051]
Means 18. The display device comprises second display means different from the first display means provided in the gaming machine so as to perform image effects relating to the game,
The profit giving information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to means 17, wherein the advertisement display control means controls the advertisement information to be displayed on the second display means.
[0052]
In this way, the advertisement information can be easily displayed. For example, this is an effective configuration when it is difficult to display advertisement information in the first display means, or when it is desired to display advertisements other than the first display means. In this case, the second display control means for controlling the display of the second display means can function as the advertisement display control means.
[0053]
Means 19. The display device is configured as first display means for performing an image effect relating to a game,
The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to means 17, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control to display the advertisement information on the first display means.
[0054]
In this way, it is effective when the advertising information is displayed on the first display means and it is desired to attract attention. That is, if the advertising information is displayed on the first display means that the player pays attention to, it becomes easier to pay attention to the advertisement and the advertising effect can be enhanced. In this case, the first display control means for controlling the display of the first display means can function as the advertisement display control means.
[0055]
Note that “image effects related to the game” described in the means 18 or 19 include various effects such as a pattern change effect, a background image effect, a reach effect, a reach notice effect, a jackpot effect, a probability change effect, a time reduction effect, and other image effects. There is something. The first display means may perform all of such effects, or may perform any one or more effects.
[0056]
Means 20. At least one of the advertisement information and the explanation information related to the profit granting information is displayed as a partial image of an image effect related to the game, such as a background image or an identification symbol. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 19.
[0057]
As described above, when the explanation information related to the advertisement information or the profit-giving information is displayed as a partial image of the image effect related to the game, the advertisement information or the profit-giving information can be effectively conscious. Moreover, it becomes the structure which can also improve the performance property of a game.
[0058]
Means 21. 21. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 18 to 20, wherein an image effect by the first display means and display of the advertisement information are performed in parallel.
[0059]
If it does in this way, advertising information can be displayed without interrupting image production, and it will not cause a fall of interest. For example, it may be configured such that the first display means performs an image effect relating to a game while the second display means displays the advertisement information in parallel, and the image display is performed on the same screen in the first display means. And advertisement information may be displayed together.
[0060]
Means 22. The advertisement display control means controls the advertisement information so as to be displayed on condition that a gaming state advantageous to a player is achieved, such as a big win or a probability variation winning. 21. The apparatus for providing benefit information according to any one of 21.
[0061]
Thus, in a gaming state advantageous to the player, the player feels better and psychologically accepts the advertisement, so the advertising effect is enhanced. More specifically, for example, the advertisement display control means can perform control so that advertisement information is displayed during a big hit game. The effects during a big hit game may get bored when viewed several times. However, according to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress “getting bored” and effectively advertising when the player feels good. Can be made aware of. More specifically, the profit providing information providing apparatus described in the means 22 can be configured to include advantageous state detecting means for detecting a gaming state advantageous to the player, such as a big win or a probability variation winning.
[0062]
Means 23. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to 22, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control to display advertisement information in a predetermined advertisement time zone.
[0063]
If it does in this way, the time slot | zone when advertisement information is displayed and the time slot | zone which is not so will be provided, and the advertisement provision according to the condition will be attained. For example, it is possible to display advertisement information in a time service and give profit granting information. In addition, if the advertisement content is related to time, the degree of attention to the advertisement can be increased. For example, if advertisement information regarding food and drink is displayed during mealtimes, the player's attention can be effectively collected.
[0064]
Means 24. The profit giving information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to 23, wherein the advertisement display control means controls so that different advertisement information is displayed according to a time zone.
[0065]
In this way, different types of advertisement information can be displayed for each time period, and the advertisements can be varied. In addition, since it is possible to display a plurality of types of advertisement information for a single manufacturer or display advertisement information of a plurality of types of manufacturers, the degree of freedom in business can be increased. In addition, the advertisement information suitable for each time zone can be displayed.
[0066]
Means 25. 25. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to 24, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control so that advertisement information is displayed in accordance with an amount of occurrence of a predetermined gaming state.
[0067]
In this way, the configuration is convenient when it is desired to use the amount of game state generated as a parameter for advertisement display. In addition, as the “amount of occurrence of a predetermined gaming state”, the number of jackpots, the number of reach, the number of symbol changes, the number of reach notices, the number of times of probability change, the number of short times, etc. can be mentioned, It may be an amount, or may be an amount of occurrence of two or more game states. A configuration in which “advertisement information is displayed according to the amount of occurrence of a predetermined gaming state” can be a configuration in which “amount of occurrence of gaming state” is a condition for displaying an advertisement. You may comprise so that advertisement information may be displayed when the number of occurrence of big hits reaches a predetermined number from the display. Further, as a configuration in which “advertisement information is displayed according to the amount of occurrence of a predetermined gaming state”, the type of advertisement displayed according to the amount of occurrence of a gaming state may be changed. For example, when the occurrence of a big hit is used as an advertisement display condition, a type of advertisement display according to the number of reach occurrences from the previous advertisement display may be performed. In addition, if it is the structure which displays advertisement information according to the generation amount of a gaming state, it will not be restricted to these examples.
[0068]
Means 26. 26. The profit giving information providing apparatus according to any one of means 9 to 25, wherein the advertisement display control means controls so that advertisement information corresponding to a game time is displayed.
[0069]
In this way, the configuration is convenient when it is desired to use the game time as a parameter for advertisement display. As a configuration for performing “display of advertisement information according to game time”, for example, a configuration of “displaying advertisement information when the game time reaches a predetermined time”, that is, an advertisement display indicating that the game time reaches a predetermined time It can be set as the conditions of these. The game time can be, for example, the accumulated time from the previous advertisement display. Further, as a configuration for performing “display of advertisement information according to game time”, a configuration such as “displays advertisement information of a type corresponding to game time” may be adopted. For example, when a predetermined advertisement display condition is satisfied, it is possible to display the type of advertisement information corresponding to the accumulated time from the previous advertisement display. Moreover, it is good also as the total integration time instead of the integration time from the last advertisement display. For example, when a predetermined advertisement display condition is satisfied, advertisement information corresponding to the accumulated time after the player starts playing may be displayed. For example, when the accumulated time is less than 1 hour, advertisement information related to a mere beer discount ticket is displayed, and when the accumulated time is 1 hour or more, advertisement information related to a free beer ticket is displayed. Thus, the profit can be increased as the accumulated time increases.
[0070]
Means 27. The advertisement information includes at least advertisement information for a predetermined first area and advertisement information for a second area having a different area range,
27. The means according to any one of means 9 to 26, further comprising area switching means for switching advertisement information to be displayed between the advertisement information for the first area and the advertisement information for the second area. Profit grant information providing device.
[0071]
In this way, an advertisement in consideration of regionality becomes possible. In addition, although it comprised so that the advertisement information for 1st and 2nd area could be included at least here, you may make it include the advertisement information for 3rd area, and the advertisement information for the further area. In addition, the regional divisions here include, for example, “Japan”, “Regions” such as Kanto and Tokai, prefectures, municipalities, and the like, and stores are included as narrower regional divisions. That is, advertisement information for a store (for example, advertisement information effective in a store) and advertisement information effective at a prefectural level can be mixed and switched. The area switching means may be configured to perform switching based on an input from the player input means, and a predetermined switching condition (for example, switching every time or setting a display condition for each area) And so on) may be switched.
[0072]
Means 28. A player-specific information acquisition means for acquiring player-specific information consisting of specific data about the player;
28. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to any one of means 3 to 27, wherein the display control means controls to display profit grant related information according to the player specific information.
[0073]
In this way, profit-giving related information suitable for the player is displayed, and a fine service is possible. Specifically, for example, information for selection corresponding to the player-specific information can be displayed. As an example, a selection screen corresponding to the player can be displayed.
[0074]
The “player specific information” described in the means 28 includes player specifying information (for example, telephone number, e-mail address, predetermined ID, etc.) that can specify the player or the player's information communication terminal. . Further, a so-called mobile phone with an IC function (also called a mobile phone with an IC card) in which a semiconductor memory such as an IC chip is arranged in or near the information communication terminal and player information is stored therein is also provided. The player information stored in the semiconductor memory as a target may be acquired by specific information acquisition means such as an IC reader.
[0075]
Means 29. Comprising a communication means for communicating with a player data storage server comprising a player data storage means for storing player data relating to the player;
29. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to means 28, further comprising player data acquisition means for acquiring data relating to a player related to the unique information based on the unique information.
[0076]
In this way, player data can be acquired based on the acquired unique information, and it is possible to provide profit-giving information in consideration of the player data. Examples of the player data storage server include a hall server, a server of a gaming machine manufacturer, and a server of a profit granting information provider (such as a manufacturer that provides profit granting information).
[0077]
Means 30. 30. Any one of means 1 to 29, further comprising input related information transmitting means for transmitting input related information comprising data relating to information input by the player input means to a predetermined external server. Profit granting information providing device.
[0078]
In this way, it is possible to store information related to input data in an external server, which can be used for information analysis and the like. Examples of the external server include a hall server, a server of a gaming machine manufacturer, and a server of a profit grant information provider (such as a manufacturer that provides profit grant information).
[0079]
Means 31. It is configured to be able to provide profit grant information of multiple providers,
The profit-giving information according to claim 30, wherein the input related information transmitting means transmits the input related information to an external server of a providing entity corresponding to the information input by the player input means. Providing device.
[0080]
In this way, it is possible to provide profit providing information for a plurality of providers, and it is possible to acquire useful information related to each provider.
[0081]
Specifically, in the case described in the means 31, when any information regarding a product or service (hereinafter also referred to as a product etc.) or a provider is input by the player input means, it corresponds to the input. The input related information can be transmitted to the provider of the product or the server of the selected provider.
[0082]
Means 32. Means 1 to 31 comprising provision mode switching means for switching between a provision mode for providing the profit granting information and a normal mode for not providing based on an input by the player input means. The profit provision information provision apparatus in any one.
[0083]
In this way, only the player who needs profit granting information is provided, and information is not provided to the unnecessary player, so it is possible to provide a service that accurately reflects the user's needs. Become.
[0084]
Means 33. The profit-giving information is configured as identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc., and the profit-giving information output means is identification information for outputting the identification information in an image display. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to means 32, comprising display means.
[0085]
In this way, since the profit granting information can be transmitted to the mobile communication terminal by display, the information can be sent without providing a special communication line between the gaming machine and the mobile communication terminal, and the device configuration is simplified. Can be achieved. In addition, the 2nd display means and 1st display means mentioned later can be functioned as this identification information display means.
[0086]
Means 34. A profit granting information providing apparatus for providing a predetermined profit as information to a player,
Corresponding to the gaming machine, it is provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and outputs profit granting information for giving a profit to the player such as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate to a predetermined portable communication terminal. Profit grant information output means, and the profit grant information output means reads the profit grant information read based on the establishment of a predetermined profit grant condition from the profit grant information storage means in which the profit grant information is stored as electronic data. , Configured to output as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal,
The profit grant information is configured as identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes,
The profit granting information output means comprises identification information display means for outputting the identification information in an image display,
Furthermore, a player input means configured to allow information input by the player,
A profit providing information providing apparatus comprising: selection means for making a predetermined selection based on information input by the player input means.
[0087]
According to the configuration of the means 34 (that is, the configuration of claim 2), since the profit grant information can be transmitted to the portable communication terminal by display, it is possible to provide a special communication line between the gaming machine and the portable communication terminal. Information can be sent, and the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. In addition, it is configured so that information input by the player is possible, and it is configured so that a predetermined selection regarding the profit grant information is made based on the input information, so that the player's intention is reflected in providing the profit grant information It is easy to do.
[0088]
Means 35. The identification information is configured to represent the profit granting information as predetermined code information,
The identification information display means displays the code information as information that can be taken by the mobile communication terminal or as information that can be read by a reading device provided in the mobile communication terminal. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to means 33 or 34.
[0089]
As described above, if the identification information is displayed as code information and is read by the mobile communication terminal or is photographed, a large amount of information can be reliably sent with a simple configuration. . Examples of the code information include a bar code and a two-dimensional code, but are not limited thereto.
[0090]
Means 36. 36. The profit provision information providing apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising code information generation means for generating the code information.
[0091]
In this way, various codes can be generated in the gaming machine or in the vicinity thereof according to the situation, and the degree of freedom in the configuration of the profit granting information is increased. Examples of the “predetermined device arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine” include an inter-device such as a ball lending machine and a profit grant information providing device (described later) connected to the gaming machine. More specifically, for example, in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine, a profit granting information providing apparatus including the profit granting information output means is arranged, and code information means is provided inside the profit granting information providing apparatus. It can comprise so that it may provide. A technique for converting numerical data or character data into code information is well known and will not be described in detail. For example, the CPU functions as code information generation means based on a program that performs such conversion. be able to.
[0092]
Means 37. 37. The profit granting information providing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the code information generating means generates the code information based on in-game machine generated information generated in a gaming machine during a game.
[0093]
In this way, code information is generated based on information generated in the gaming machine (game information, etc.) and can be transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, the information generated in the gaming machine is used for the profit granting service. can do. Therefore, the contents of coupon coupons, gift certificates, etc., provision conditions, etc. can be easily associated with the contents of the gaming machine, and services related to the gaming machine can be performed with a high degree of freedom. More specifically, for example, profit granting information is generated as information that can be expressed in characters, numbers, designs, etc. based on numerical data generated in the gaming machine, and this is generated by a predetermined program such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Can be configured to convert to For example, the benefit grant information corresponding to the content of the in-game machine generated information may be read from the benefit grant information storage means, and the benefit grant information, or the benefit grant information and additional information added thereto may be coded. . Note that software technology for converting character and numeric data into a two-dimensional code is well known and will not be described in detail. For example, a program for performing such conversion is stored in a ROM or the like in the profit granting information providing apparatus. In addition, code information based on the in-game machine generation information can be generated by executing this program. In this case, as described above, the CPU that reads the program from the ROM functions as the code information generating means.
[0094]
The “in-game machine generation information” as used in this specification can target various information generated in a game machine, but may be game information that is information related to a game, for example, information other than a game. May be. Examples of information other than the game may include time information such as date information and time information, and information about the player (personal information about the player, etc.) when using some data about the player in the gaming machine. It may be. In addition, “game information” as used in the present specification is information relating to a predetermined state that occurs in a game such as a symbol variation state, a big hit state, a reach state, a reach notice state, a probability variation state, a short-time state, and the like. Information (for example, the number of symbol fluctuations, the number of occurrence of jackpots), the occurrence probability information (for example, reach occurrence probability, jackpot occurrence probability, etc.), the occurrence interval information (for example, jackpot occurrence interval, probability fluctuation occurrence interval), Statistical information using one or more of these states is included. In the means 36 and 37, the code information is generated by the code information generating means. However, the code information may be stored in advance as a code information instead of this. For example, the profit grant information may be stored in the profit grant information storage means in the form of image data as a two-dimensional code. In this case, the code information can be displayed as it is when read from the storage means.
[0095]
Means 38. Having game information acquisition means for acquiring game information from outside the profit granting information providing device;
The profit giving information providing apparatus according to means 36 or 37, wherein the code information generating means generates the code information based on the game information acquired by the game information acquiring means.
[0096]
In this way, by encoding information based on game information and transmitting it to the mobile communication terminal, the game information can be used for a profit grant service. The configuration for generating the code information based on the game information may be a configuration in which the profit granting information to be provided according to the game information is determined and coded, and the game is used as a part of the profit granting information. The code information generating means may be configured to code information having a configuration including information or information having a configuration in which game information is attached as additional information regarding the benefit grant information.
[0097]
Means 39. 33. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 32, wherein the profit grant information output means includes a wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the profit grant information to the mobile communication terminal.
[0098]
In this way, it is possible to easily obtain the profit grant information directly from the gaming machine without using a special communication line. Examples of wireless transmission include transmission using infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, wireless LAN communication, and the like, and interfaces (infrared light emitting chips, antennas, etc.) used for these communication can be configured as wireless transmission means.
[0099]
Means 40. 40. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the wireless transmission means includes a medium output unit that outputs the profit grant information as an information transmission medium such as infrared rays and electromagnetic waves.
[0100]
If it does in this way, it will become a suitable structure which can transmit information by radio | wireless communication.
More specifically, the medium output unit can be configured to output information without using a transparent plate (glass plate). In addition, the information transmission medium may be output as a non-directional medium, or may be output in a directional state. The “medium output unit” may be configured as an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light, or may be configured as an antenna that outputs electromagnetic waves such as radio waves.
[0101]
Means 41. The medium output unit outputs the information transmission medium toward the front or substantially front of the gaming machine, so that an area where information communication is possible is configured between the gaming machine and the player. And
The means 40 according to claim 40, wherein wireless communication is performed such that the information transmission medium is output from the medium output unit in a state where the mobile communication terminal is arranged in the information communicable region. Profit grant information providing device.
[0102]
If it does in this way, it will become a suitable composition which a player can acquire information ahead of a game machine. For example, if profit granting information is provided at a position where it is difficult to obtain, it may be troublesome because it takes time to obtain it, and there is a concern that the use of profit granting information may be hindered. According to the configuration, information is emitted at a position where it can be easily obtained. Therefore, the information can be easily obtained, and the use of profit-giving information can be promoted.
[0103]
Means 42. Setting information storage means for storing grant condition setting information, which is information for setting the profit granting condition, in an updatable state;
Means 1 further comprising setting information updating means for updating the provision condition setting information based on input of update information of the provision condition setting information by information input using a predetermined input means. Or the profit provision information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 41;
[0104]
According to the above configuration, since the profit granting condition can be changed according to the situation, the configuration with a large degree of freedom is provided for providing the profit granting information. The predetermined input means may be the same as the player input means or may be different.
[0105]
Means 43. Setting information storage means for storing grant condition setting information, which is information for setting the profit granting condition, in an updatable state;
A setting information updating unit configured to update the grant condition setting information based on an input of update information of the grant condition setting information from an external device provided outside the profit grant information providing device; The profit provision information providing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to means 41 characterized by the above.
[0106]
According to the above configuration, since it can be updated externally, information maintenance can be easily performed from the outside. Examples of the external device include a hall server and a server of a provider (such as a gaming machine manufacturer or a profit-giving information provider manufacturer).
[0107]
Means 44. Means 1 to 41, wherein grant condition setting information, which is information for setting the profit grant condition, is stored in an updatable state in an external device provided outside the profit grant information providing apparatus. The profit provision information provision apparatus in any one.
[0108]
In this way, the configuration is convenient when it is desired to store the grant condition setting information externally. Examples of the external device include a hall server and a server of a provider (such as a gaming machine manufacturer or a profit-giving information provider manufacturer).
[0109]
Means 45. A plurality of types of profit granting information are used, and the setting information storage means is configured to store the granting condition setting information so as to set profit granting conditions corresponding to the types of profit granting information. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 42 to means 44.
[0110]
If it does in this way, it will become the composition which can provide multiple types of profit provision information, and the provision conditions can each be determined in the state which can be updated.
[0111]
Means 46. The above-mentioned advantage is that it has state detection means for detecting occurrence of a specific gaming state or progressing state of a specific gaming state, and that a specific gaming state occurs or that a specific gaming state becomes a predetermined progressing state. It is a condition element of the grant condition,
46. The profit grant information according to any one of means 42 to 45, wherein the grant condition setting information is set with the content of the profit grant information corresponding to the occurrence or progress of the specific gaming state. Providing device.
[0112]
In this way, since the content of profit provision is set based on the gaming state, it is possible to increase the importance of the gaming content.
[0113]
Means 47. While it is configured to be a big hit when the identification patterns such as numbers, pictures, etc. become a predetermined combination,
The grant condition setting information is configured to determine a combination of jackpots and the profit grant information correspondingly,
47. The profit grant information providing apparatus according to any one of means 42 to 46, wherein profit grant information corresponding to a jackpot combination is provided based on the grant condition setting information.
[0114]
In this way, since the profit granting information is provided according to the combination of the identification symbols, the big hit lottery can be made more interesting. More specifically, it is possible to provide a jackpot combination detecting means in the profit granting information providing apparatus and provide profit granting information according to the jackpot combination detected by the jackpot combination detecting means.
[0115]
Means 48. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 47, wherein the display control means comprises selection information changing means for setting and changing the display content of the selection information.
[0116]
In this way, since the selection information can be changed, it is possible to display the selection information according to the situation, and it is possible to realize a configuration capable of providing a highly flexible service. Specifically, for example, the type and content of the selection item can be changed.
[0117]
Means 49. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the selection information changing means changes the setting of the selection information in response to information input by the player input means.
[0118]
In this way, since the selection information changes according to the input, the player's degree of involvement in setting the selection information can be increased. Specifically, the content of the selection item and the range of the selection item can be changed according to the input.
[0119]
Means 50. 49. The profit provision information providing apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the selection information changing means changes the setting of the selection information according to a gaming state.
[0120]
In this way, the selection information changes according to the gaming state, so that the structure becomes interesting and the gaming state becomes more meaningful. Specifically, the contents and range of the selection item can be changed according to the gaming state. For example, if the selection information in the case of the big hit is made different from the selection information in the case of the reach state, the unique selection information is displayed according to the gaming state.
[0121]
Means 51. The profit providing information providing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to means 50, wherein the apparatus is provided with a communication control means for performing bidirectional communication using a communication network such as the Internet and is made available to the Internet.
[0122]
In this way, a novel service can be provided to the player using both the gaming machine and the Internet, and the degree of freedom of service can be greatly increased.
[0123]
The device according to any one of the means 1 to 51 includes the profit grant information storage means and a profit grant information read means for reading the profit grant information from the profit grant information storage means. it can.
Thus, by providing the profit grant information storage means and the profit grant information reading means in the profit grant information providing apparatus, the profit grant information can be quickly provided to the player.
In this case, the profit grant information storage means may be provided as an updatable storage means.
By doing in this way, it becomes the structure which can provide profit provision information rapidly. Further, since it is configured as an updatable storage means, the contents of the profit granting information can be changed according to the situation, and fine maintenance that meets the needs of the hall and the player is possible. For example, if a profit granting information providing device is provided in a game machine or in the vicinity of a gaming machine and a profit granting information storage means is provided therein, the profit granting information can be read and provided without using a communication network such as the Internet. Therefore, it is particularly effective when providing promptly. The “updatable storage means” may be constituted by a rewritable fixed storage medium such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive, a card-like or stick-like semiconductor memory, a movable flexible disk, an optical disk You may comprise by moving storage media, such as a readable disk, and the apparatus which reads the moving storage media.
[0124]
Further, in any one of the means 1 to 51, the profit grant information update information for updating the profit grant information is input by information input by a predetermined input means or information input via a communication network. Thereby, it can be set as the structure provided with the profit provision information update means to update the information memorize | stored in the said profit provision information storage means.
In this way, since the profit grant information stored based on the input of update information for updating the profit grant information is updated, the apparatus configuration with high maintainability is obtained.
[0125]
Further, in any one of the means 1 to 51, the apparatus further comprises profit grant information acquisition means for acquiring the profit grant information read from the profit grant information storage means provided outside the profit grant information providing apparatus. It is good also as a structure.
This configuration is effective when it is difficult to provide the profit granting information providing means in the profit granting information providing apparatus or when it is desired to manage the profit granting information storage means by an external device such as a server.
In this case, for example, the profit grant information storage means may be provided as a storage means that can be updated in an external server configured to be communicable with the profit grant information providing apparatus.
With such a configuration, the external server side can easily maintain the storage contents of the profit grant information. Therefore, this configuration is useful when it is desired to manage profit granting information on an external server. Examples of the external server include a hall server, a manufacturer server that provides profit granting information, a gaming machine manufacturer server, and other management servers.
[0126]
Further, in the profit grant information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 1 to 51, a request signal for requesting the profit grant information is output to a predetermined device (external server or the like) provided with the profit grant information storage means. The request signal output means can be provided. In this case, the predetermined apparatus that has acquired the request signal reads the profit grant information from the profit grant information storage means and transmits it to the profit grant information providing apparatus.
[0127]
Moreover, in the profit provision information provision apparatus in any one of the means 1 thru | or means 51,
The profit granting information providing device is arranged outside the gaming machine and configured to be attached to the gaming machine or a gaming machine peripheral device connected thereto,
Furthermore, it can be configured to acquire information from the gaming machine or the gaming machine peripheral device.
[0128]
In this way, the configuration is effective when it is difficult to provide profit granting information in the gaming machine. In addition, product management (production, sales, storage, etc.) of the profit granting information providing apparatus can be performed independently of the gaming machine. The “gaming machine peripheral device” may be any device connected to the gaming machine in the vicinity of the gaming machine, such as a ballroom device such as a ball lending device, or the number of jackpots connected to the gaming machine, symbol variation. Examples thereof include a game information display device that displays game information such as the number of times (for example, a device that is arranged at the top of a gaming machine).
[0129]
Further, in the profit granting information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 1 to 51, the profit granting information providing apparatus is attached to or detached from an external connection terminal provided in the gaming machine or a peripheral device of the gaming machine. You may comprise so that it may connect.
[0130]
If it does in this way, it will become the suitable structure which the profit provision information provision apparatus can acquire game information, and also becomes a structure which can respond | correspond universally to various game machines.
[0131]
Further, in the profit granting information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 1 to 51, the profit granting information providing apparatus is configured to be disposed inside the gaming machine and performs main control of the game. You may comprise so that information may be acquired from an apparatus or the peripheral device of this main controller.
[0132]
In this way, the profit granting information providing device can be arranged inside the gaming machine, and a novel gaming machine configuration can be realized. In addition, this configuration is effective when it is difficult to arrange such a profit providing information providing apparatus outside the gaming machine due to space factors.
[0133]
Further, in the profit grant information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 1 to 51, the profit grant information providing apparatus is arranged in a form in which at least a part is exposed from the gaming machine in the gaming machine. It may be configured.
[0134]
In this way, if the profit granting information providing apparatus is arranged in the gaming machine and a part thereof is exposed from the gaming machine, the profit granting information providing apparatus is arranged in the gaming machine. Therefore, it is easy to output information to the player. For example, if at least the profit granting information output means is configured to be exposed from the gaming machine, the preferred configuration is such that information is easily output in front of the gaming machine while profit granting information is arranged in the gaming machine.
[0135]
In addition, in the profit granting information providing apparatus according to any one of the means 1 to 51, a replacement unit configured to replace the profit granting information providing apparatus with at least a game board and a gaming machine frame. You may comprise so that it may arrange | position outside the part.
[0136]
In this way, if the profit granting information providing apparatus is arranged outside the exchange unit that can be exchanged for the frame of the gaming machine, the gaming board is replaced and another gaming board is arranged. In so-called “replacement”, the profit providing information providing device can be applied to the replaced game board, and the components can be effectively diverted. More specifically, it is possible to configure a “replacement unit” that can be replaced at the time of replacing the board by including a game board and a control device that controls the parts arranged on the game board. An information providing apparatus can be arranged. More specifically, frame bodies such as glass door frames and front frames, mechanism plates, and board box mounting bases (arranged independently of the replacement unit or arranged so as to be easily detachable from the replacement unit) Etc.). Further, the profit provision information providing apparatus may be configured as a single unit or may be configured by a plurality of parts. When configured with a single part, as shown in FIG. 24 described later, it can be arranged as a single unit outside the replacement unit. When configured with a plurality of parts, all parts are replaced. It can be arranged outside the unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, a display device, profit granting information output means, etc. are attached to a glass door frame or front frame so that the position is exposed from the gaming machine. A substrate, an external display control substrate, etc.) may be arranged on a mechanism plate, a substrate box mounting base, or the like. The mounting configuration is not limited to these.
[0137]
Means 52. A gaming machine comprising the profit provision information providing device according to any one of means 1 to means 51.
[0138]
In this way, it is possible to provide profit grant information directly to a player in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and the gaming machine becomes novel and interesting for the player.
[0139]
Means 53. A gaming system comprising the profit provision information providing device according to any one of means 1 to 51.
[0140]
If comprised in this way, the novel system which can give a profit to a player from the game machine vicinity using a profit provision information provision apparatus can be constructed | assembled.
[0141]
Note that the gaming machine in the present invention includes a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. As a basic configuration of a pachinko machine, an operation handle is provided, a ball is launched into a predetermined game area in accordance with the operation of the operation handle, and a start winning opening (actuated) is arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning (or passing through the operation gate), the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is determined and stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning port) arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. Examples include those to which values (including data written on magnetic cards as well as premium balls) are given.
[0142]
In addition, the basic configuration of the slot machine includes variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). Then, the dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. As the necessary condition that the confirmed identification information is the specific identification information, there is one provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player. In this case, examples of game media include coins and medals.
[0143]
The basic configuration of the fusion of the pachinko machine and the slot machine is provided with variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and starting operation means ( For example, the dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation of the operation lever), the dynamic display of the identification information is caused by the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button), or when a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player is provided on condition that the display is stopped and the confirmed identification information at the time of the stop is specific identification information, and a ball is used as a game medium. In addition, there is a configuration in which a predetermined number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display of the identification information, and many balls are paid out when a special gaming state occurs. It is.
[0144]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a profit provision information providing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Basic configuration for providing profit granting information)
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment is provided in the gaming machine 1 or in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the gaming machine 1. Providing profit grant information output means for outputting profit grant information for giving a profit to a player such as a gift certificate to a predetermined mobile communication terminal (in this case, the profit grant information output means is constituted by the infrared light emitting unit 33) It constitutes a configuration. And profit grant information output means as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal, the profit grant information read based on the establishment of the predetermined profit grant condition from the profit grant information storage means in which the profit grant information is stored as electronic data More output. There are several examples of the arrangement of the profit grant information storage means and the profit grant information reading means for reading the profit grant information from the profit grant information storage means. The example of a structure which provided the grant information storage means and the profit grant information reading means is shown.
[0145]
The profit granting information providing device 30 can be provided in the gaming machine 1 or in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 in correspondence with the gaming machine 1 as described above. An example in which a profit granting information providing device 30 is provided in the gaming machine 1 is shown, and profit granting information is output from the gaming machine 1 by this configuration. In addition, although the profit provision information provision apparatus 30 may be provided in the vicinity of the exterior of the game machine 1, this structure shall be demonstrated in other embodiment mentioned later.
[0146]
Although several forms of information output by the profit grant information output means can be considered, the profit grant information output means of the present embodiment uses the mobile communication terminal (here, the profit grant information read by the profit grant information read means). It is configured as a wireless transmission means for wireless transmission to the mobile phone 200). Note that output configurations other than wireless transmission (image output by a display device, etc.) will be described in other embodiments described later.
[0147]
The wireless transmission unit may be configured to include a medium output unit (infrared light emitting unit 33 described later in the present embodiment) that outputs profit-giving information as an information transmission medium such as infrared rays and electromagnetic waves. Then, an information transmission medium such as an infrared ray or an electromagnetic wave is output from the medium output unit toward the front of the gaming machine 1, whereby “information acquisition by the portable communication terminal is performed between the gaming machine 1 and the player. "A possible area" is configured. When a mobile communication terminal (such as the mobile phone 200) is arranged in the “area where information can be acquired”, an information transmission medium including profit grant information is output from the medium output unit. Profit-giving information can be acquired at the mobile communication terminal.
[0148]
Further, although there are some possible arrangement positions of the profit granting information storage means, in this embodiment, the profit granting information storage means is arranged in the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 and is provided in the gaming machine 1. ing. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 5, the nonvolatile memory 39 functions as a profit grant information storage unit. This profit granting information storage means may be a non-rewritable storage means such as a ROM, but can be configured using a rewritable storage means such as a non-volatile memory, RAM, HDD, etc., and can be stored even after the power is shut off. What is retained is desirable. The profit giving information storage means may be a non-rewritable storage means such as a ROM. Further, the configuration in which the profit granting information storage unit takes other arrangement positions (for example, the configuration arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 or a server) will be described in other embodiments.
[0149]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the gaming system 100, the profit grant information update information for updating the profit grant information is information input by a predetermined input means (for example, information input by the information input device 43) or information via a communication network. It is input by input (for example, information input from a hall server or an external server), and is provided with profit grant information update means for updating information stored in the profit grant information storage means. In the example of FIG. 2, this profit grant information update means is provided in the profit grant information providing apparatus 30, and specifically, the CPU 36 performs this function.
[0150]
(Basic configuration for providing advertising information)
Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is comprised so that the profit provision information relevant to the display of advertisement information may be provided, and the structure for displaying advertisement information is demonstrated below.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 includes advertisement display control means for performing control so as to display advertisement information related to profit-giving information on a predetermined display device. . Here, advertisement information is displayed on the external display device 105 arranged outside the game area 91, and the external display control board 105A (described later) functions as an advertisement display control means. On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 or in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, the advertising information can be updated in a state separate from the main controller (main board 21A in this case) that performs the main control of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, the advertisement information storage means is provided in the profit grant information providing apparatus 30. Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, an external display control board 105A is provided in the profit provision information providing apparatus 30, and the external display control board 105A is attached to the external display control board 105A (for example, ROM, RAM, Storage means for storing advertisement information can be arranged (in a configuration that is mounted as a non-volatile memory). In addition, non-updatable storage means such as a non-volatile memory 39, RAM, and HDD, and non-updatable storage means such as ROM are provided outside the external display control board 105A without providing them in the external display control board 105A. You may make it function as an information storage means.
[0151]
Further, the gaming system 100 is configured such that advertisement update information for updating advertisement information is information input by a predetermined input means (for example, information input by the information input device 43), or information input via a communication network (for example, a hall server or an external device). It is provided with advertisement information updating means for updating information stored in the above-mentioned advertisement information storage means by being input by information input from the server. In the example of FIG. 2, advertisement information updating means is provided in the gaming machine 1, and the contents of the advertisement information storage means are updated based on the input of advertisement update information. For example, when the nonvolatile memory 39 is caused to function as an advertisement information storage unit, the content stored here can be rewritten based on the update information.
[0152]
(Configuration of gaming machine 1)
Next, a specific configuration of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
A plurality of gaming machines 1 according to the present embodiment are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction at the upper part of the counter board of the pachinko islands installed in the gaming hall. As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a front frame 2 at the front, and a glass door frame 3 as a transparent plate holding door is attached to the front frame 2. As shown in FIG. 23, the glass door frame 3 is supported by the front frame 2 so as to be openable and closable by vertical hinge portions 3c provided vertically.
[0153]
Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a transparent plate 81 made of glass or the like is fitted into a metal frame 82 to form an integrated transparent plate unit 80, and the transparent plate unit 80 is formed of the glass door frame 3. It is configured to be attached on the back side. Here, the mounting portion 82a formed to project outward in the frame 82 and the mounting portion 3d formed on the back side of the glass door frame 3 are coupled by a fastening member 83 such as a screw, whereby the transparent plate 81 Is assembled to the glass door frame 3.
[0154]
Furthermore, the transparent plate 81 of the present embodiment is configured as a multi-layer glass having a plurality of glass plates (here, two glass plates), and has a circular shape or a substantially circular shape such as an ellipse. Yes. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the glass door frame 3 is viewed from the front, the outer shape of the glass door frame 3 is a square or a substantially square shape. A profit granting information providing device 30 described later is disposed in a diagonally lower space (here, near the corner of the glass door frame 3).
[0155]
A game board 7 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged behind the glass door frame 3 shown in FIGS. The game board 7 has a substantially circular game area, and a first type start port 4, a special display device (hereinafter simply referred to as “display device”) 5, and a grand prize winning port 6 are provided in the game region. The first type starting port 4 is provided with a path for a game ball, and a blade 4a is supported at the path entrance so as to be openable and closable. The display device 5 can be configured as a symbol display device that dynamically displays symbols, for example.
[0156]
Returning to FIG. 3, an upper tray 2 b from which prize balls are paid out is attached to the lower part of the glass door frame 3. A lower tray 2a is mounted below the window hole of the front frame 2. The lower receiving tray 2a discharges and stores extra balls such as winning balls that cannot be fully contained in the upper receiving tray 2b, punched balls extracted from the upper receiving tray 2b, or foul balls from the outlet of the extra balls. A launching handle 17 for launching a game ball is mounted on the right side of the lower tray 2a in the front frame 2 so as to be rotatable. A motor (not shown) as a driving means is mounted on the back side of the front frame 2 corresponding to the firing handle 17, and the motor is driven by the turning operation of the firing handle 17. Are intermittently operated, and the elasticity is adjusted according to the rotation angle of the firing handle 17. Therefore, a ball launcher is constituted by the motor and the hitting ball.
[0157]
The display device 5 is provided above the first type start port 4 and has a display device frame 40 and a screen 5 a made up of a liquid crystal display (LCD) disposed so as to be surrounded by the display device frame 40. Yes. Various kinds of images are displayed on the screen 5a. As one of them, a left symbol row 8, a middle symbol row 9, and a right symbol row 10 are displayed. The number of design rows is not limited to the above (3 rows), and may be 1 row, 2 rows, 4 rows or more. Each of the symbol rows 8 to 10 is composed of a plurality of symbols made up of numbers, symbols and the like.
[0158]
In the display device 5, the symbol variation in the symbol rows 8 to 10 is started by winning a game ball at the first type starting port 4. The symbol variation is stopped in the order of the left symbol row 8, the right symbol row 10, and the middle symbol row 9, but this is only an example and may be stopped in another order. When symbol variations in all symbol sequences 8 to 10 are stopped, a combination of symbols (hereinafter referred to as “stop symbols”) displayed is a predetermined combination (specific display result, hereinafter referred to as “hit combination”). ), That is, a combination of the same type of symbols (for example, 777) when the symbols of the same type are arranged along the jackpot line. This combination of stop symbols is hereinafter referred to as “big hit symbol”. In this embodiment, there are a total of five types of jackpot lines: one that extends in the horizontal direction (upper, middle, and lower three types) and one that extends in the diagonal direction (two types, lower right and lower left). Not limited to. For example, the number of jackpot lines is one, and it may be what is usually called “one line”. When the jackpot combination is established, the special electric combination is activated, and a jackpot gaming state as a special gaming state advantageous to the player arrives, and it becomes possible to acquire more prize balls.
[0159]
Further, the gaming machine 1 enters the reach gaming state prior to the occurrence of the big hit gaming state. Here, the reach game state means a state immediately before the big hit game state, and if it falls down, the symbol variation in the right symbol row 10 stops on the big hit line with the same kind of symbols as the stop symbol in the left symbol row 8 In addition, after that, if the symbol variation in the middle symbol row 9 is stopped with the same kind of symbols as the stopped symbols in the left and right symbol rows 8 and 10, a combination of jackpots is finally included. In addition, when the symbol variation stops, the game changes in a combination that results in a big hit gaming state, and when it stops at that symbol, when it finally becomes a big hit gaming state, the state in the variation is also included in the reach gaming state. This is usually called full rotation (all symbols) reach.
[0160]
The special winning opening 6 is provided below the first type starting opening 4 and includes one V zone 11, two passages 12 and 13, and a shutter 14. The shutter 14 is operated by a prize winning solenoid (hereinafter simply referred to as “solenoid”) 15 to open and close the V zone 11 and the entrances of the passages 12 and 13.
[0161]
As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 7 is provided with a start port switch 18, a V zone switch 19, and a count switch 20. The start port switch 18 detects winning of a game ball to the first type start port 4. The V zone switch 19 detects the winning of the game ball in the V zone 11, and the count switch 20 detects the winning of the game ball in the big winning opening 6. In addition, a control device 21 is provided to drive and control the solenoid 15 and the display device 5 based on the detection results of the switches 18 to 20, respectively. The control device 21 includes a read memory (ROM), a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The ROM stores a predetermined control program and initial data in advance, and the CPU executes various arithmetic processes according to the ROM control program. The RAM temporarily stores the calculation result by the CPU.
[0162]
In more detail, the control device 21 includes a main control device (main board) that performs main control of the gaming machine 1, a display control board, a volume adjustment board, and an LED for controlling each part by a signal from the main board. In order to prevent illegal signals from being input to the main board, the signal is transmitted in only one direction from the main board to the sub board. It has become. Note that the CPU, ROM, RAM, and other electronic components can be arranged at least on the main board, but the CPU, ROM, RAM, and other electronic parts can be arranged outside the main board.
[0163]
As one of the controls by the CPU, there is a so-called probability variation in which the probability of occurrence of a big hit gaming state is varied according to conditions. Specifically, a low probability mode that generates a jackpot gaming state with a low probability of about 1/300, and a high probability mode that generates a jackpot gaming state with a high probability of about 1/60, which is about five times as high The probability mode is switched according to the type of jackpot symbol. That is, if the jackpot symbol is a predetermined special symbol (eg, odd symbol), the high probability mode is set, and if it is a predetermined normal symbol (eg, even symbol), the low probability mode is set. Note that the multiple of the occurrence probability in the high probability mode with respect to the occurrence probability in the low probability mode may be a value other than the above-described value (about 5).
[0164]
An external connection terminal plate 16 is connected to the output port of the CPU. The external connection terminal plate 16 includes hall computer output terminals 16A to 16D connected to the hall computer and profit grant information providing apparatus output terminals 16a to 16d connected to the profit grant information providing apparatus 30. It has.
[0165]
Here, the output terminals 16A and 16a output a “probability changing signal” indicating that the high probability mode described above is being performed. Further, the output terminals 16B and 16b output a “big hit signal” indicating that a big hit is being generated. Further, the output terminals 16C and 16c output a “probability change jackpot signal” indicating that a jackpot is being generated by a predetermined special symbol (for example, an odd symbol). Further, the output terminals 16D and 16c output a “firing switch signal” indicating whether or not a game ball is being fired by the ball launching device.
[0166]
(Configuration of profit granting information providing device)
In the present embodiment, the profit granting information providing device 30 is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the glass door frame 3, specifically in the vicinity of the corner of the glass door frame 3 formed in a square shape as shown in FIG. It is arranged as a device for performing infrared communication with a mobile phone 200 (see FIGS. 5 and 6: described later) as a mobile communication terminal possessed by the player. The profit granting information providing apparatus 30 includes a notification lamp 31 as a notification unit, a wireless transmission unit, an infrared light emitting unit 33 as a medium output unit, and an infrared light receiving unit 34. The light receiving unit 34 is arranged, for example, in a form exposed to the outside of the gaming machine 1 and is configured to function as an information communication unit (in other words, an information transmission / reception unit) that transmits and receives information. More specifically, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 includes a notification lamp 31, an infrared light emitting unit 33, an infrared light receiving unit 34, an interface circuit (I / F) 35, A CPU 36, a ROM 37, and a RAM 38 are provided.
[0167]
Here, the notification lamp 31 is configured as a lamp for visually notifying the player that the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 is ready to provide the profit grant information. The notification lamp 31 is turned on when the profit grant information is provided, and is turned off when it is not provided. Further, the notification lamp 31 may be blinked in response to the question that the profit granting information is being transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit 33, and may be turned off when the transmission is completed.
[0168]
The infrared light emitting unit 33 that functions as a profit grant information output unit in the present embodiment specifically functions as a medium output unit and a wireless transmission unit, and is disposed in an external area of the transparent plate 81 and is connected to the mobile phone 200. On the other hand, it is configured as a light emitting device for transmitting profit granting information and the like as an infrared signal. The infrared signal output from the infrared light emitting unit 33 has directivity, and here, the infrared signal is configured to be output in a direction substantially orthogonal to the board surface of the game board 7 in the outer region of the transparent plate 81. Yes.
[0169]
The infrared light receiving unit 34 as an information receiving unit is arranged in an external region of the transparent plate 81 like the information transmitting unit, and is configured as a light receiving device for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the mobile phone 200.
[0170]
Since the infrared signal has directivity as described above, the infrared light receiving unit 208 and the infrared light emitting unit 209 of the mobile phone 200 are connected to the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 of the profit-giving information providing device 30. By facing each other, the gaming machine 1 and the mobile phone 200 are identified as communication partners. Moreover, since an infrared signal is output toward the front (player side) from the infrared light emitting unit 33, the infrared signal does not interfere between adjacent gaming machines. Here, an information transmission medium having directivity is taken as an example, but an omnidirectional medium can be used as long as information transmission is possible. In addition, this infrared light-receiving part 34 can be functioned as a player specific information acquisition means shown in this specification.
[0171]
In the present invention, the communication system, the hardware configuration of the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the light receiving unit 34, and the like can be used according to a communication standard defined by IrDA (InfraRed Data Association), for example. In the present embodiment, an example in which the infrared light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are configured as a single device is shown, but they may be configured as separate devices. Hereinafter, the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 are collectively referred to as infrared light receiving and emitting units 33 and 34.
[0172]
The interface unit 35 is connected to the output terminals 16a to 16d for the benefit-giving information providing device of the external connection terminal board 16 through the communication line, and outputs “probability change signal”, “big hit signal”, respectively output from each terminal, This is an electronic circuit that inputs a “probability big hit signal” and a “reach signal” to the CPU 36. Although the number of output terminals is four here, the present invention is not limited to this, and other signals may be input to the profit provision information providing apparatus. For example, the “fire switch signal” or the like may be input as an independent port. The signal type is subdivided into any of the “big hit signal”, the “probable big hit signal”, and the “reach signal”. The configuration may be such that a port is provided. For example, when the reach has two types of normal reach and special reach, ports for the normal reach signal and the special reach signal may be provided. The “probability changing signal”, “big hit signal”, “probability changing big hit signal”, and “reach signal” are the game information in this embodiment, and these game information are stored in the CPU 36 via the external terminal connection plate 16 and the interface unit 35. The CPU 36 functions as a game information acquisition unit, a state detection unit, and a game state detection unit.
[0173]
The CPU 36 is a control device for controlling each part of the profit granting information providing device 30, and reads a control program from the ROM 37 and executes it. In the present embodiment, the CPU 36 is the profit grant information reading means, code information generating means, profit grant information updating means, advertisement information updating means, setting information updating means, advertisement mode switching means, profit mode switching means, and profit mode switching means shown in the above means 1 to 53. It is possible to function as grant information acquisition means, advertisement information acquisition means, gaming information acquisition means, provision mode switching means, state detection means, gaming state detection means, selection information display timing setting means, and selection information change means. is there.
[0174]
The ROM 37 is a read-only storage medium for storing a control program (for example, a program having a flow as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 26) for controlling each unit of the profit grant information providing device 30, various data, and the like. It is.
[0175]
The RAM 38 is a rewritable storage medium having a work area used by the CPU 36, a game state storage area 38a, and a transmission buffer 38b for transmitting game information and profit granting information.
[0176]
The nonvolatile memory 39 is a rewritable (information updateable) nonvolatile storage medium for storing information in a nonvolatile manner, and is a semiconductor memory such as EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or other nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Etc. can be configured. In the present embodiment, the non-volatile memory 39 functions as a profit granting information storage unit, an advertisement information storage unit, and a setting information storage unit.
[0177]
The information content is stored and retained even after the power is turned off, and the information is rewritten as necessary. Further, the profit granting information, advertisement information, condition setting information (described later), or the value of the transmission counter 39a stored in the nonvolatile memory 39 is stored and retained even after the gaming machine 1 is turned off. In this embodiment and other embodiments, a configuration using a non-volatile memory is shown as the rewritable storage means. However, an HDD (hard disk drive) or other storage means may be used as long as the rewritable storage means. It may be used.
[0178]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, there are provided first display means for performing image effects (for example, reach effects, jackpot effects, etc.) relating to the game, and second display means different from the image display device, and the advertisement information is the first. It is configured to be displayed by two display means. More specifically, the display device 5 functions as a first display means for performing an image effect relating to a game, and is a device provided in the profit grant information providing device 30, which is an external display device provided outside the game area 91. Reference numeral 105 functions as second display means. Further, an external display control board 105A for performing display control of the external display device 105 is provided, and this external display control board 105A functions as a second display control means. The external display control board 105A can be configured as, for example, a board that performs display control of a liquid crystal symbol display device, and can also be configured to include a storage unit such as a CPU, ROM, or RAM. In the present embodiment, the advertisement information is displayed on the external display device 105, and the external display control board 105A functions as a display control means, an advertisement information display control means, and a selection information changing means. It has become.
[0179]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the display device 5 functioning as the first display means is also provided with a display control board 5A as the first display control means, and these display control board 5A and external display control board 105A. Thus, the display effects of the first display means and the display of the advertisement information can be displayed in parallel by controlling the display of each of the display devices 5 and 105 independently or in cooperation. .
[0180]
The communication control means 41 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 can communicate between the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 and the hall server 401, or between the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 and the various servers 403 and 405 shown in FIG. It controls to become. This communication control means 41 can function as the player data acquisition means and the input related information transmission means described in the above means 1 to 51.
[0181]
Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the player is configured so that the player can input information in the vicinity of the infrared light emitting unit 33, the infrared light receiving unit 34, and the notification lamp 31. An input means (information input device 43) is provided, and the information input device 43 is provided with an operation unit for performing an operation related to information transmission between the gaming machine 1 and the mobile phone 200. Specifically, this operation unit is configured as a transmission request button 32 for requesting information transmission to the gaming machine 1, and when the transmission request button 32 is pressed, the gaming machine 1 transmits the cellular phone. Information transmission to 200 is started. This transmission request button 32 is configured as a push button for requesting the profit giving information providing apparatus 30 to start sending profit granting information, and is ready for transmission from the gaming machine 1, that is, as described above. Pressing is accepted only while the notification lamp 31 is lit, and transmission is not started even if the transmission request button 32 is pressed in another state. In the present embodiment, the transmission request button 32 functions as a selection button for selecting various selection portions on the screen. The number of buttons and the configuration of the information input device 43 are not limited to this, and may be further increased, or a numeric keypad, a stick controller, a touch panel, or the like may be provided.
[0182]
When the transmission request button 32 is pressed while the notification lamp 31 is lit, the notification lamp 31 starts blinking, and transmission of profit-giving information by an infrared signal from the infrared light emitting unit 33 is started. Although the operation unit has a button configuration here, any configuration such as an operation lever, a touch panel, or the like that can be operated from the outside by the player may be used. In addition, although an operation unit is provided here for performing a trigger input for information transmission, any operation can be applied to other uses as long as it is an information input operation related to information transmission.
[0183]
For example, a plurality of items may be displayed in a selectable manner on the display screen, and any of them may be selected by operating the operation unit. As an example, for example, the player can select whether to request information transmission from the gaming machine or to request explanation information (for example, operation explanation) related to information communication, and perform processing corresponding to the selection operation. You may make it perform.
[0184]
Further, a plurality of types of profit granting information may be provided so that the player can select the profit granting information. For example, profit selection information input means may be provided in or near the gaming machine, and selection information for selecting profit granting information can be input by the profit selection information input means. In the present embodiment, an information input device 43 (see FIGS. 2 and 5: not shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) serving as a player input means functions as the profit selection information input means. It can be configured in the same manner as various input devices. For example, it can be configured as an input device such as a button type or a touch panel type. Further, the selection information may be input by voice input or information input. Note that specific selection information input (for example, a selection screen configuration and a selection flow) will be described later.
[0185]
(Server configuration)
Servers such as the hall server 401, the provider server 403, and the gaming machine manufacturer server 405 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured as a computer system, and can be configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Since the server configuration capable of LAN and Internet communication is well known, detailed description of the hardware configuration is omitted, but various configurations are adopted as long as data storage is possible and network communication is possible. can do.
[0186]
In the example of FIG. 6, an example of a server configured to be able to communicate with the Internet is shown by taking the hall server 401 as an example, and the providing main server and the gaming machine manufacturer server can also adopt the same configuration. Here, storage means such as CPU 413, ROM 415 and RAM 411, interface such as LAN card 427, communication control device such as router 429, display control device such as video controller 421, output means such as monitor 417, input means such as keyboard 419, etc. 2 shows a configuration including an input control device such as a key controller 423. In addition, various databases (player database or the like in which data related to the player is stored) are configured by the server-side storage unit 431 including a hard disk drive or other storage medium. Here, the hall server 401 is capable of two-way communication (for example, two-way communication via a network such as a LAN or the Internet) with the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 (communication indicated by (1) in FIG. 1). See also Route and Figure 2). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hall server 401 is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with various servers via the Internet 400 (see communication path (2)). Further, as shown in (3) communication path (FIG. 1) and FIG. 2, here, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 itself is configured to be connected to the Internet.
[0187]
(Configuration of mobile communication terminal)
Next, the configuration of the mobile phone 200 that performs infrared communication with the profit grant information providing device 30 of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The mobile phone 200 is an example of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. As shown in the front view of FIG. 7, the case 202, the key operation unit 204, the liquid crystal panel (display unit) 206, the infrared light receiving unit 208, and the infrared light emission Part 209. The key operation unit 204 is disposed on the front case unit 203 of the case 202, and includes a cross key, a power key, a function key, an on-hook key (start key), a clear key, and a character / number key (ten key). It is configured. The liquid crystal panel 206 is disposed inside an opening 202 a formed in the case 202. The infrared light receiving unit 208 is disposed on the upper part 202 b of the case 202 together with the infrared light emitting unit 209.
[0188]
Next, the electric circuit configuration of the mobile phone 200 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In addition to the liquid crystal panel 206, the infrared light receiving unit 208, and the infrared light emitting unit 209, the mobile phone 200 includes a wireless unit 210, an audio circuit 212, a receiver 214, a microphone 216, a transmission / reception antenna 218, a nonvolatile memory 220, a control unit (micro Computer) 222 and secondary battery 224. The radio unit 210 is controlled by the control unit 222 to transmit / receive to / from the base station using radio waves as a medium through the transmission / reception antenna 218. The audio circuit 212 outputs the reception signal output from the radio unit 210 through the control unit 222 to the receiver 214 and outputs the audio signal output from the microphone 216 to the radio unit 210 through the control unit 222 as a transmission signal.
[0189]
The receiver 214 converts the reception signal output from the audio circuit 212 into reception audio and outputs it. The microphone 216 converts the transmission audio emitted from the operator into an audio signal and outputs it to the audio circuit 212. The nonvolatile memory 220 stores various data and various programs in a nonvolatile manner. The profit grant information receiving program for receiving the profit grant information from the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 is downloaded from, for example, an Internet homepage operated by a gaming machine manufacturer or the like, and stored in the nonvolatile memory 220. Remembered. The secondary battery 224 supplies power to each circuit. The control unit 222 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and performs telephone call processing, e-mail creation / transmission processing, and Internet processing.
[0190]
(Action of the gaming machine)
Next, the operation and effect of the gaming machine 1 configured as described above will be described. 9 to 10 show various routines executed by the control device 21. Each processing of these routines is executed based on the counter group and the flag F.
[0191]
The counter group includes a round counter R, a winning counter P, and a probability variation counter C. The round counter R is for counting the number of rounds, and the winning counter P is for counting the number of winning game balls to the big winning opening 6 based on the detection result of the count switch 20. The probability variation counter C is used to determine the end of the high probability mode, and takes values of “2”, “1”, and “0”. Note that the initial values of the counters R, P, and C are all “0”.
[0192]
In addition, the counter group includes an internal random number counter for determining occurrence of a big hit gaming state, an outreach random number counter for determining outreach, etc., a respective symbol counter for determining stop symbols, and a reach And a reach type counter for determining the type of operation. Here, the outreach by the outreach random number counter refers to a state in which the winning combination is not finally made after the above-described reach gaming state. The flag F is used to determine whether or not a game ball has won a prize in the V zone 11, and is set to “0” when no winning is detected by the V zone switch 19. 1 ”. It has already been explained that there are two types of probability modes, a low probability mode and a high probability mode, but the low probability mode is set as the initial value.
[0193]
When the game is started by the player, the control device 21 first starts the first type of game ball based on the detection result of the start port switch 18 in step S10 of the special electric accessory control routine of FIG. It is determined whether or not there is a winning for the mouth 4. If this determination condition is not satisfied, the special electric accessory control routine is terminated, and if it is satisfied, each value of the internal random number counter and the outlier reach random number counter is acquired and the value of each symbol counter is set in step S20. On the basis of the symbol sequences 8 to 10, the symbol is removed and acquired. Acquisition here refers to a process of reading the value of each counter and storing the value in a memory.
[0194]
Next, a symbol variation start process is executed in step S30. Specifically, in step S31 of FIG. 11, the symbols in the symbol rows 8 to 10 are variably displayed on the display device 5, respectively. This display makes it appear to the player that the three reels of left, middle and right are rotating. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the value of the internal random number counter is the same as the jackpot value. As the jackpot value, two types of values (low probability jackpot value and high probability jackpot value) are prepared. The former is a value for generating the jackpot gaming state with the low probability described above, and the latter is a value for generating with a high probability. For example, when the internal random number counter is a value that is updated every predetermined time in the range of “0” to “299”, “7” is set as the low probability jackpot value, and “7”, “17” , “27”, “37”, “47” are the jackpot values for high probability. Then, the probability that the jackpot gaming state will be 1/300 when the low probability jackpot value is used as the jackpot value, and 1/60 when the high probability jackpot value is used as the jackpot value. When the low probability mode is set in the previous control cycle, the low probability jackpot value is selected as the jackpot value. When the high probability mode is set, the high probability jackpot value is selected as the jackpot value.
[0195]
If the determination condition of step S32 is satisfied, the big hit symbol corresponding to the big hit value is stored in the memory as a stop symbol in step S33. On the other hand, if the determination condition in step S32 is not satisfied, it is determined in step S34 whether or not the value of the outreach random number counter is the same as the predetermined outreach value. If this determination condition is satisfied, in step S35, a symbol corresponding to the detach reach value (hereinafter referred to as “disconnect reach symbol”) is stored in the memory as a stop symbol. If the determination condition in step S34 is not satisfied, the off symbol in step S20 is stored in the memory as a stop symbol in step S36. Then, after storing the stop symbol in the above steps S33, S35, S36, the symbol variation start processing routine is terminated.
[0196]
After executing the processing of step S30 (the symbol variation start processing shown in FIG. 11) as described above, in step S40 of FIG. 9, the symbols in both the left and right symbol rows 8 and 10 are changed to any one of steps S33, S35, S36. Replace with the stop symbol memorized in the process. The symbol fluctuations in the left and right symbol rows 8 and 10 are stopped by the symbol after replacement.
[0197]
In step S50, the symbol fluctuation in the middle symbol row 9 is stopped. Subsequently, in step S60, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination is a jackpot combination. If this determination condition is not satisfied, the special electric accessory control routine is terminated. If it is satisfied, a big hit signal ON is output to the output terminals 16B and 16b in step S70. Further, in step S80, it is determined whether or not the jackpot symbol is a special symbol (in this case, an odd symbol). If the symbol is a special symbol (step S80: Yes), the probability variation jackpot signal ON is output in step S90. Output to 16C and 16c. Subsequently, in step S100, the round counter R is reset. In step S110, the winning counter P is reset and the flag F is set to “0”. FIG. 13 conceptually shows a timing chart for the probability changing signal, jackpot signal, and probability changing jackpot signal.
[0198]
Subsequently, the solenoid 15 is excited in step S120 of FIG. Then, the shutter 14 falls and the passage entrance of the special winning opening 6 is opened. With this opening, it is possible to win the game ball in the V zone 11 and the passages 12 and 13. In step S130, the round counter R is incremented by "1".
[0199]
Next, in step S140, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter P is equal to or less than a predetermined value Pmax. If this determination condition is satisfied, it is determined in step S150 whether or not the scheduled closing time of the special winning opening 6 is yet. If this determination condition is satisfied (step S150: Yes), the process returns to step S140. As a result, after the opening of the big winning opening 6 is started, the winning opening 6 continues to be opened unless more than Pmax game balls are won or the scheduled closing time comes. On the other hand, if any one of the determination conditions in steps S140 and S150 is not satisfied, the solenoid 15 is demagnetized in step S160. Then, the shutter 14 is raised, and the passage entrance of the special winning opening 6 is closed.
[0200]
In step S170, it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter R is equal to or less than Rmax. If this determination condition is satisfied, it is determined in step S180 whether or not the flag F is “1”. If the determination condition of step S180 is satisfied (step S180: Yes), the process returns to step S110 of FIG. Therefore, once the big hit gaming state occurs, the big winning opening 6 repeats the open / close cycle until the game ball wins the V zone 11 a maximum of Rmax times. For example, when the predetermined value Pmax is set to “10”, the opening time of the big prize opening 6 is set to “about 29.5” seconds, and the predetermined value Rmax is set to “16”, the big prize is won. After the opening of the mouth 6, when one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) 10 game balls win the grand prize opening 6, or (2) about 29.5 seconds have passed. The mouth 6 is closed. The opening / closing cycle of the big winning opening 6 is repeated up to 16 times on condition that the game ball is won in the V zone 11. If either one of the determination conditions in steps S170 and S180 is not satisfied, “big hit signal OFF” is output to the output terminals 16B and 16b in step S190. Further, in step S200, it is determined whether or not the jackpot symbol is a special symbol (in this case, an odd symbol). If the symbol is a special symbol (step S200: Yes), the probability variation jackpot signal OFF is output in step S210. Output to 16C and 16c. Subsequently, a probability variation process is executed in step S220, and then the special electric accessory control routine is terminated.
[0201]
In the probability variation processing routine of FIG. 12, in step S221, it is determined whether or not the jackpot symbol is a normal symbol (in this case, an even symbol). If this determination condition is not satisfied (step S221: No), that is, if the jackpot symbol is a special symbol (odd symbol), whether or not the probability variation counter C is “0” in step S227 (high probability mode) If the probability variation counter C is “0” (in the high probability mode) (S227: Yes), in step S228, the probability variation in-progress signal ON is output to the output terminals 16A and 16a. Output to. Subsequently, in step S229, the high probability mode is set, and the probability variation counter C is set to “2”. After executing the processing of step S229, the probability variation processing routine is terminated. Thus, when the big hit gaming state is continuously generated with the special symbol (odd symbol) during the high probability, the high probability mode is continued.
[0202]
On the other hand, if the determination condition in step S221 is satisfied, that is, if the big hit symbol is a normal symbol (even symbol), it is determined in step S222 whether the probability variation counter C is not "0". If the determination condition is not satisfied (C = 0), the probability variation processing routine is terminated. If the determination condition is satisfied (C = 2, 1), the probability variation counter C is decremented by “1” in step S223. In step S224, it is determined whether or not the probability variation counter C is “0”. If this determination condition is not satisfied (C = 1), the probability variation processing routine is terminated. If the determination condition is satisfied (C = 0), in step S225, the probability changing signal OFF is output to the output terminals 16A and 16a. In step S226, the low probability mode is set. Once the high probability mode is set in this way, the probability is high until the probability variation counter C becomes “0”, that is, after the high probability mode is set, until the big hit gaming state is continuously generated twice with an even number of symbols. The mode continues. When the big hit gaming state with an even number of symbols continues twice, the high probability mode ends and the mode is switched to the low probability mode.
[0203]
Note that the processing procedure in the present embodiment is an example, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the symbol variation process (step S31) may be performed after the stop symbol storage process (steps S33, S35, S36).
[0204]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when it is detected that the game ball has won the first type starting port 4, the values of the respective counters are acquired and the symbol columns 8 to 10 are variably displayed. A stop symbol is stored based on the value of each counter, and the symbol variation is stopped by the stop symbol. If the combination of symbols displayed when the game is stopped is a big hit combination, a big hit gaming state advantageous to the player occurs, and until the game ball has won a maximum of Rmax times in the V zone 11, the big winning opening 6 The open / close cycle is repeated.
[0205]
On the other hand, when the jackpot symbol is a special symbol (odd symbol), the high probability mode is set, and the probability of occurrence of the jackpot gaming state is increased two times, the next time and the next time. That is, once the high probability mode is set, the probability of occurrence of two big hit gaming states is increased from the next time, but if the big hit gaming state occurs again with an odd symbol during that period, the high probability mode is set. . On the other hand, if a big hit gaming state occurs in the normal symbol (even symbol) after the period has elapsed, the high probability mode ends (switches to the low probability mode).
[0206]
(Profit grant information transmission processing)
Next, the profit grant information transmission process from the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 to the mobile phone 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the profit grant information transmission main routine shown in FIG. 14 and the flowchart of the information transmission process routine of FIG. . In the present embodiment, the profit granting information transmission main routine and the information transmission processing routine are stored in the ROM 37, and the CPU 36 reads these routines from the ROM 37 and executes them. This profit granting information transmission main routine can be executed, for example, at intervals of several ms or tens of ms.
[0207]
First, in step S400, it is determined whether or not a profit provision condition is satisfied. Here, the occurrence of a big hit is set as a profit granting condition, and the occurrence of the big hit is detected by detecting that the big hit signal changes from OFF to ON as shown in FIG. Here, the CPU 36 that has detected a change in the jackpot signal transmits a command for displaying advertisement information to the external display control board 105A. On the other hand, if no big hit has occurred, the process proceeds to NO in S400, and the routine is terminated. If a big hit has occurred, the process proceeds to S410 to determine whether the current setting is the normal mode or the advertisement display mode. This determination is made based on information indicating the mode stored in a predetermined storage area (in this embodiment, a storage area of the RAM 38: described later). In this embodiment, the mode can be changed by a user setting process to be described later, and the determination is made by reading the mode information stored in this process. The mode setting process will be described later.
[0208]
If the mode information indicates the normal mode, the process proceeds to YES in S410 and ends the process. On the other hand, when the advertisement mode is indicated instead of the normal mode, advertisement information is displayed in S420. Here, after the selection screen is once displayed as shown in FIG. 17A, the advertisement information as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed on the external display device 105 based on the selection by the player. In addition, you may make it display advertisement information like FIG.17 (b) directly, without displaying a selection screen. That is, advertisement information about specific products and services may be directly displayed.
[0209]
Specifically, in the advertisement information display process 420, the advertisement information reflecting the user's request can be displayed directly or through a predetermined step. In this embodiment, selection information about a genre or manufacturer selected in advance by a user input process to be described later is displayed, and advertisement information related to this selection information can be displayed. In other words, the information for selection reflecting the user's request is displayed, and further the selection from the user makes it possible to display the advertisement information and provide the profit granting information. It is possible to reflect in detail. In the example of FIG. 17, information for selection when the genre of “food and drink” is selected by the user is illustrated, and “discount coupon for izakaya”, “free beer coupon”, and the like can be selected. In the example of FIG. 17A, individual indexes (advertisement indexes 109A to 109F) of each advertisement information are displayed as the selection information, and any one of the advertisement indexes is designated based on the input by the player input means. The advertisement information related to the designated advertisement index is displayed. This advertisement index also functions as a profit granting information individual index. When an advertisement index is selected, finally the profit granting information related to the advertisement index can be output. For example, when “One Beer Free Coupon” in the upper right of the selection screen of FIG. 17A is selected, an advertisement screen as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed, and electronic data about this beer free coupon is displayed. It can be acquired with a mobile phone. Here, the CPU 36 functions as a selection information display timing setting means for setting the display timing of the selection information, and the external display substrate 105A as the display control means has a timing based on the selection information display timing setting means. Control is performed so as to display the information for selection as shown in FIG.
[0210]
Further, here, the external display control board 105A that has received a command from the CPU 36 (that is, a command reflecting that “one beer free coupon” has been selected) performs a process of reading the advertisement information from the advertisement information storage means, Advertisement information is displayed on the display device 105. As the advertisement information storage means, a storage means disposed in the external display control board 105A or a storage means (for example, a nonvolatile memory 39) external to the external display control board 105A can be used. However, the advertisement information is read out from the advertisement information storage means and displayed as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 17 (b), explanation information related to profit grant information and advertisement information are displayed together as profit grant related information. It should be noted that the advertisement information may be displayed immediately when the occurrence of the jackpot is detected, or the advertisement information may be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the jackpot occurrence signal. In the above example, the selection information reflecting the user's request is displayed. However, the advertisement information reflecting the user's request may be displayed. That is, the user may select in advance which advertisement information is to be displayed, and display of the advertisement information and provision of profit grant information may be performed based on the establishment of the profit grant condition.
[0211]
When the advertisement information display process (S420) is performed as described above, the notification lamp 31 is turned on in S430 in a state where the display of the advertisement information as shown in FIG. The lighting process of the notification lamp 31 may be omitted. On the other hand, when the player knows that the profit grant information is about to be provided from the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 by turning on the notification lamp 31 or displaying the advertisement information, the player takes out the mobile phone 200 and operates the button 204. As a result, the program for receiving profit grant information is started. Then, on the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200, as shown in FIG. 18A, a message “Information is ready to be received. Press the transmission request button.” Is displayed. Then, the player (here, the player 400) causes the infrared light receiving unit 208 and the infrared light emitting unit 209 of the mobile phone 200 to face and approach the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 of the profit providing information providing device 30. It should be noted that a method for acquiring information transmitted by infrared using a mobile communication terminal (such as a mobile phone or a PDA) is well known and will not be described in detail, but the information from the profit granting information output means can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal. Various methods and configurations can be adopted. Further, as described later, the identification information may be acquired as an image.
[0212]
On the other hand, on the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 side, in S440, it is determined whether or not there is a transmission request during a predetermined time. Here, it is determined whether or not the transmission request button 32 has been pressed. If there is no transmission request even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to NO in S440, the notification lamp 31 is turned off in S490, and the process ends. On the other hand, if there is a transmission request, the process proceeds to YES in S440, and a connect signal is transmitted in S450. In step S460, a return signal sent from the mobile communication terminal is received. As a result, infrared communication can be performed between the profit provision information providing device 30 and the mobile phone 200. Then, in S470, the notification lamp 31 is blinked, and the information transmission process in S480 is started. Here, the determination of the transmission request in S440 is performed based on pressing of the transmission request button 32. However, for example, a sensor unit capable of detecting a position is provided, and transmission is performed when the mobile communication terminal is placed at a predetermined position. Assuming that there is a request, the processing from S450 onward may be performed. Further, it may be determined that a transmission request has been made when a predetermined signal is transmitted from the mobile communication terminal.
[0213]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information transmission process in S480.
In step S510, a gaming machine ID (gaming machine ID) as gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine 1 as another is stored in the first storage area of the transmission buffer 38b on the RAM 38. The gaming machine ID can be stored in a ROM (for example, the ROM of the main board 21A or the ROM 37 of the profit granting information providing device 30) as unique to the gaming machine. Here, FIG. 16A shows a format of the transmission buffer 38b for transmitting game information and profit grant information, and FIG. 16B shows an example of storing profit grant information and game information. In step S520, the value of the transmission counter 39a is read from the nonvolatile memory 39 and stored in the second area of the transmission buffer. Further, in step S530, the game state data (reach frequency data required until the big hit here) as the state identification information in the game state storage area 38a is read and stored in the third area of the transmission buffer 38b. That is, the game information here has a data structure of “gaming machine ID + transmission counter value + game state data”. The gaming state data is not limited to the reach number data shown here, but can be symbol variation number data, jackpot number data, probability variation number data, short time number data, reach notice number data, or other gaming state number data. These data may be composed of a plurality of types. Alternatively, point information based on these data (for example, point information accumulated as 2 points for reach occurrence and 1 point for symbol variation) may be used. By attaching such game information, it becomes possible to provide services based on the game information, or to statistically process the attached game information for use in marketing or the like. It should be noted that the processing of S530 may be omitted by not attaching such game state data. Moreover, you may make it transmit only profit provision information, without attaching game information itself.
[0214]
Further, in S540, profit grant information (coupon data here) to be sent to the fourth area of the transmission buffer 38b is stored. For example, the profit granting information can be configured to express the content by a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and in the example of FIG. 16, the type of coupon and the providing maker are specified by a combination of numbers and alphabets. . For example, if the upper 3 digits represent the providing manufacturer and the lower 2 digits represent the contents of the coupon, the providing manufacturer and the contents of the coupon can be specified by a 5-digit number and alphabet. In step S550, the game information and profit granting information stored in the transmission buffer 38b are transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit 33 as an infrared signal. Subsequently, in step S560, the infrared light receiving unit 34 receives a terminal confirmation signal from the mobile phone 200.
[0215]
In step S570, the external device confirmation information is transmitted to the management device. Several examples are conceivable as transmission to this management apparatus. For example, transmission to the provider side server 403, which is a manufacturer's server that provides products and services related to profit granting information, is possible via the Internet. it can. Or you may make it transmit confirmation information to the store which actually receives the service which concerns on profit provision information. In any case, the content to be transmitted can be the same or almost the same information as that transmitted to the mobile communication terminal, or information indicating the transmitted fact. In this way, the providing entity can reliably confirm that the profit granting information has been issued, and when receiving a profit related to the profit granting information (for example, when receiving a discount with a coupon or the like), the player It is possible to collate with the information presented by, and fraud can be effectively suppressed.
[0216]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the provider-side server 403 provided on the provider side such as a provider that provides the benefits-giving information via a communication network such as the Internet. And a store terminal 411 is provided for each store that provides goods or services related to the profit granting information so as to be connected to the server 403 on the provider side. And the profit grant information provision apparatus 30 transmits the confirmation information as fraud identification information to the provision subject side server 403 or the store side terminal 411 when providing the profit grant information to the mobile communication terminal. (See the transmission paths (3), (4) or the transmission paths (3), (4), (5) shown in FIG. 1). When the player who has acquired the profit granting information by the mobile communication terminal submits the mobile communication terminal at the store related to the profit granting information in order to receive the profit related to the profit granting information, the store provided in the store The terminal 411 can determine based on the confirmation information (unauthorized identification information) whether or not the provided profit granting information in the mobile communication terminal is legitimate. In addition, when such a process is not performed, the process of S570 may be omitted.
[0217]
Returning to FIG. 15, after S570, in step S580, the value of the transmission counter of the nonvolatile memory 39 is incremented, and then in step S590, a transmission end signal is transmitted. In S600, the stored contents of the game state data (that is, the reach number data so far) are cleared, the process of this routine is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine.
[0218]
On the other hand, while profit granting information is being transmitted from the profit granting information providing apparatus 30, a message “Information is being received” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Further, when the transmission of profit grant information from the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 is completed and a transmission end signal is received (step S480), the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 206 as shown in FIG. The message “Information has been received” is displayed, and the execution of the profit grant information receiving program is terminated.
[0219]
When returning to the profit granting information transmission main routine (FIG. 14), in step S490, the notification lamp 31 is turned off and the processing of this routine is finished. Note that the display of the advertisement information may be terminated when the lamp is turned off, and the display of the advertisement information may be continued. When the display of advertisement information is continued, until a predetermined display end condition is satisfied (for example, until a predetermined time elapses from the start of display or until the next symbol variation is started until the big hit round is ended) Etc.) It is better to continue.
[0220]
When the profit grant information transmitted in the above-described profit grant information transmission main routine is received by the mobile phone 200, it has a gaming machine ID, a transmission counter value, game state data, and profit grant information (here, coupon data). The information thus formed is sequentially stored and accumulated in the memory 220 built in the mobile phone 200. FIG. 19 shows an example of storing profit granting information in the memory 220 of the mobile phone 200.
[0221]
Here, the profit granting information stored in the mobile phone 200 has unique identification information. That is, the gaming machine ID identifies which gaming machine the profit-giving information is output from among a large number of gaming machines installed in gaming stores nationwide. In addition, the transmission counter value identifies the number of times the profit grant information is output in the gaming machine 1. As described above, since the counter value is counted up every time the profit grant information is transmitted, the same value does not exist. Therefore, since the data sequence of “gaming machine ID + transmission counter value” is unique and there is no two same data, it is possible to reliably identify individual information outputs in each gaming machine. it can. Furthermore, since the output information includes game state data for identifying the generated game state, it is possible to know what kind of game has been performed so far. It is also possible to provide services using. As described above, such game state data may be omitted.
[0222]
As is clear from the above detailed description, according to the present embodiment, the player uses the mobile phone 200 possessed by the player from the profit granting information providing device 30 to obtain electronic data such as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate. By receiving the profit grant information consisting of the above, it is possible to easily obtain the profit grant information provided from the gaming machine 1 or the vicinity of the gaming machine 1. Further, since the information transmitted from the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine ID (gaming machine ID) as gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine, which gaming machine is installed in each gaming hall. It is possible to reliably identify whether the information is in Furthermore, since the transmission count value as the unique information is included, it can be reliably discriminated from information received by the same or different player on another day or time zone. Note that the profit granting information may be simplified so as not to include such a gaming machine ID or unique information.
[0223]
(Mounting structure of profit grant information providing device)
Next, the attachment structure of the profit provision information provision apparatus 30 is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 23, the profit granting information providing device 30 is disposed near the end of the glass door frame 3, specifically, near the corner of the glass door frame 3 formed in a square shape. In the embodiment, it is arranged as a device capable of infrared communication with a mobile phone 200 as a mobile communication terminal possessed by a player. The profit granting information providing apparatus 30 includes a notification lamp 31 as a notification unit, an infrared light emitting unit 33 as a wireless transmission unit, and an infrared light receiving unit 34. The infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit are provided. 34 is arranged, for example, in a form exposed to the outside of the pachinko machine 1, and is configured to function as an information communication unit. Furthermore, an external display device 105 is attached integrally with the information communication unit, and a unit structure in which these are integrated is formed.
[0224]
In FIG. 23, an exposed portion (specifically, an opening 3e) is formed in the glass door frame 3, and the infrared light receiving / emitting portions 33 and 34 attached to members behind the glass door frame 3 and an external display device. 105 is exposed forward through the opening 3e. That is, when the glass door frame 3 is closed, the front portion of the profit granting information providing device 30 is fitted into the opening 3e, thereby exposing the infrared light receiving / emitting portions 33 and 34 and the external display device 105 to the front. It becomes. In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 23, the profit granting information providing device 30 is attached to the peripheral portion of the front frame 2, and as attachment means, coupling means such as a fastening member such as a screw is used.
[0225]
In addition, although FIG. 23 showed the example in which the profit provision information provision apparatus 30 was attached to the peripheral part of the front frame 2 arrange | positioned behind the transparent plate holding door (namely, glass door frame 3), it is not limited to this. FIG. 24 shows a configuration in which a profit granting information providing device 30 having a profit granting information output means (infrared light emitting unit 33) and an external display device 105 and having an integral unit structure is attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 3. ing. In the example of FIG. 24, an opening (not shown) is formed in the glass door frame 3 as in the configuration of FIG. 23, and the external display device 105 and the profit providing information output means (infrared light emitting unit 33) are formed through the opening. Is provided on the back surface of the glass door frame 3 by a fastening member 30d such as a screw.
[0226]
Note that the configurations shown in FIGS. 3, 23, and 24 are only suitable examples, and are not limited to these arrangement positions. For example, the transparent plate 81 in the glass door frame 3 may be up / down / left / right, diagonally upward or downward, or may be any of the vertical / left / right, diagonally upward or downward of a game area surface (hereinafter also referred to as a game surface) in the game board 7. In any of these cases, it may be detachable or non-detachable (for example, fixed integrally). For example, as shown by broken line parts A and B in FIG. 24, in the diagonally lower position of the game surface, the game area (the area where the game is played, here the area surrounded by the rails) of the game board 7 You may make it arrange | position outside. Or as shown to the broken-line part C, it is made to attach to the member etc. which are arrange | positioned in the front frame 2 to which the glass door frame 3 was attached, or the back of the front frame 2 in the external area | region of the glass door frame 3. Good. In the broken line portion C, the profit providing information providing device 30 is arranged in the vicinity of the launch handle 17, but is arranged in or near the lower plate portion 2a, or in or near the upper plate portion 2b. It may be configured.
[0227]
As shown in FIG. 25, the profit granting information providing device 30 may be attached to a storage tray (such as the lower plate portion 2a and the upper plate portion 2b) that stores the game balls. In FIG. 25, the external display device 105 is integrated with the upper plate portion 2b so as to be embedded in the upper plate portion 2b, and is disposed on the front side of the upper plate portion 2b. In addition, although the example attached to the upper plate part 2b was shown here, you may make it attach to the lower plate part 2a similarly.
[0228]
(User input processing)
Next, user input processing for making a predetermined setting by a user (that is, a player) will be described. A program for this processing can be stored in the ROM 37, the nonvolatile memory 39, or the like, for example. FIG. 26 shows an example of the flow of this processing program.
[0229]
First, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed by operating a predetermined button (for example, a predetermined button in the information input device 43) in S700. In this initial screen, a selection portion 110A “view point status” for viewing the point status currently accumulated by the player, and a selection portion 110B “change mode” for changing the advertisement mode and the normal mode. , A selection portion 110C for selecting a genre, a selection portion 110C for selecting a genre, a selection portion 110D for selecting a manufacturer, and a selection portion 110D for inputting and outputting information for registered members. , And a selection portion 110F for ending the processing. In this screen, the arrow 120 moves to a position corresponding to each item in accordance with a user input (input operation on the information input device 43), and the user moves the arrow to a desired item (index) position. Selection is performed by moving it (the same selection method can be used on other selection screens in this specification). The initial screen configuration shown here is merely an example, and various screen configurations can be used. The screen configuration is not limited to the above example as long as a plurality of selection items are prepared and any one of the selection items is selected based on the player's designation. Further, items other than these may be provided instead of or in addition to these selection items (indexes).
[0230]
If any one of the selected portions 110A to 110E is selected, the process proceeds to Y (YES) in S720. Otherwise, that is, if the end is selected, the process proceeds to N in 720. Further, in the case of selecting a point situation, the process proceeds to Y in S730, and a point inquiry process is performed in S740. If the mode change is selected, the process proceeds to Y in S750, and the mode change process is performed in S760. If a genre is selected, the process proceeds to Y in S770, and a genre selection process is performed in S780. Further, if the manufacturer is selected, the process proceeds to Y in S790, and the manufacturer selection process is performed in S800. Furthermore, in the case of a registered member, information acquisition processing is performed in S810.
[0231]
The point inquiry process is a process for making an inquiry about points currently accumulated by the user. This point information can be stored in an external server (for example, a hall server) connected to the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 by opening a communication network. When an address or other ID) is obtained, the external server can be referred to obtain point data. Then, the acquired point data is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, it is possible to receive not only simple inquiries but also services corresponding to the points accumulated at present. That is, when the selection portion 111A is selected in FIG. 28, a screen as shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. Here, services that can be received at the currently accumulated points are displayed, and when any of 112A to 112F is selected, advertisement information as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed, and Profit-giving information is provided. Note that when the “return” selection item 111B is selected in FIG. 28, the screen returns to the user setting screen of FIG.
[0232]
The mode change process is a process for switching between the normal mode and the advertisement display mode. Here, a screen as shown in FIG. 30 is displayed, and the player is allowed to select one of the selected portions. When the selection item 113A in the advertisement display mode (in this embodiment, the providing mode for providing profit grant information (displayed as “present mode” in FIG. 30) is set to the advertisement display mode) is selected, That effect is stored in a predetermined part. Here, as an example, the storage configuration is as shown in FIGS. 33A to 33C. When the advertisement display mode (that is, the providing mode) is selected, a storage area (in this case, in the RAM 38) indicating the mode. “1” is stored in the (predetermined area). In the normal mode (when the “normal mode” selection item 113B is selected), the value is “0”. Here, the default value is “1”. This storage area is referred to in the process of S410 of FIG.
[0233]
The genre selection process is performed on a screen as shown in FIG. 31, and allows the player to select a favorite genre. In this configuration, a plurality of profit grant information is divided into groups, and a profit group index (index of each genre) related to the divided profit groups is displayed as selectable information. The profit group is specifically configured as a group of advertisement information, and is based on the fact that any one of the advertisement information groups is selected from the advertisement group indexes 114A to 114H by the player input means. Display advertising information corresponding to the specified advertising information group or selection information related to the specified advertising information group (ie, based on which profit group index is specified) Thus, the profit granting information related to the finally designated advertisement group index (profit group index) is provided. In this embodiment, by selecting an item of food and drink, this information is stored as genre information as shown in FIG. 33A, and this information is referred to in the advertisement information display process (S420) of FIG. As shown in FIG. 17A, the selection information related to the food / beverage item is displayed. And as mentioned above, according to the further selection, the profit provision information relevant to the food / beverage item will be provided finally like FIG.17 (b). The storage configuration of the advertisement information and profit grant information can be configured as shown in FIG. 21, for example. In this configuration, advertisement information, manufacturer, genre, and the like are associated with each profit grant information. Therefore, it is possible to extract advertisement information and profit grant information of a specific genre, a specific manufacturer, and when a specific genre is designated as shown in FIG. 33A, the advertisement information of that genre is extracted. can do. In addition, if index image information is included corresponding to each advertisement information and profit grant information, the index information of advertisement information and profit grant information related to a specific genre can be extracted, and these index image information can be selected for selection. May be displayed (for example, as shown in FIG. 17A).
[0234]
Specifically, when any genre is selected, as shown in FIG. 33A, data for specifying the selected genre is stored in the storage area indicating the genre. Here, data “A” specifying food and drink is stored. When displaying the advertisement information, the storage area is referred to, the advertisement information related to food or drink corresponding to the stored data, or the selection information related to food or drink is read out, and finally the advertisement information and Profit grant information will be provided (see FIG. 17 etc.). Also in this case, predetermined default data (default genre setting data) may be provided. In the advertisement information display process in FIG. 14, the selection information corresponding to the selected genre is displayed, but without this, the advertisement information corresponding to the selected genre is switched and displayed. Alternatively, at least one advertisement information of the selected genre advertisement information may be selectively displayed (for example, selected by a predetermined lottery).
[0235]
The manufacturer selection process is performed on a screen as shown in FIG. 32, and the player is made to select a favorite manufacturer. That is, here, the advertisement group indexes 115A to 115F of each manufacturer are displayed as selection information as the profit group index, and when any manufacturer is selected, data specifying that manufacturer is stored in a predetermined manner. Is stored in the storage area. This makes it possible to provide advertisement information and profit-giving information related to the designated manufacturer.
[0236]
FIG. 33C shows a configuration in which predetermined data is stored in the manufacturer storage area. When displaying the advertisement information, the manufacturer's advertisement information and profit-giving information specified by the stored information are provided by referring to this area. In this case, in the advertisement information display process in FIG. 14, selection information corresponding to the selected manufacturer can be displayed. Instead of this, the advertisement information corresponding to the selected manufacturer may be displayed by switching, for example, in order, and at least one advertisement information of the selected manufacturer's advertisement information is selectively ( For example, it may be displayed in a predetermined lottery selection). Further, when the advertisement information is prepared for each manufacturer, the index shown in FIG. 32 can function as an advertisement index (profit giving information individual index). In addition, although the genre and manufacturer are specified here, a specific product type or service type may be selected, or a specific product or service may be selected. For example, an item such as “car” may be provided to display an advertisement relating to a car, or a specific item name may be provided. FIG. 33B illustrates a storage configuration when a specific product name is designated in this way. In this case, in the advertisement information display process of FIG. 14, a specific product name or service name. Can be displayed as shown in FIG. 17B.
[0237]
In any case, the data selected by the user by such user input processing is stored in a predetermined storage means (such as a RAM or a non-volatile memory) and used when providing the profit granting information as shown in FIG. The Rukoto. That is, in the advertisement information display process in FIG. 14, the advertisement information and selection information based on the settings are displayed with reference to the data set in this way.
[0238]
Moreover, you may comprise so that the information regarding the data which the player input may be transmitted to an external server. In this case, in addition to the transmission of the external device confirmation information as shown in FIG. 15, or in place of the transmission of the external device confirmation information, or separately from the external device confirmation information, It is configured to transmit input related information composed of data related to information input by the player input means (information input device 43) to an external server (a hall server 401, a gaming machine manufacturer server 403, a provider main server 405, etc.). it can.
[0239]
For example, the input related information may be transmitted to the hall server 401 and stored as shown in FIG. FIG. 34 shows an example in which player data related to a player is stored in the hall server 401 (see FIG. 1 and the like), shows data related to a certain user (player data), a usage code, a model code, a usage date, Points are stored. The usage code indicates what kind of profit granting information is used, and here, the genre (alphabet part) and specific contents (numeric part) can be specified. In addition to the genre, or in addition to the genre, information specifying the providing manufacturer may be included. The model code indicates which model was used, and the model manufacturer name (alphabet part) and the specific model (numeric part) can be specified. The point data stores changes in the user's points, and decreases when the points are used, and increases when predetermined conditions are satisfied. The point inquiry process described above is performed based on this point data. If data is stored in this way, a user's favorite genre and product, or a favorite model can be specified, which can be used for marketing.
[0240]
The external server may be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 35 exemplifies a configuration in which player data is stored in a server of a hall manufacturer having a plurality of chain stores, a gaming machine manufacturer, or a server of a providing manufacturer that provides profit granting information. Similarly to the case, when the user uses the profit grant information, in addition to the information such as the use code, model code, use date and time as shown in FIG. 34, the store code is also transmitted. This makes it easier to understand the situation at each store.
[0241]
In addition, when transmitting to an external server other than the hall server, for example, when any product or service (hereinafter also referred to as a product) or information on a provider is input by the player input means, The input related information can be transmitted to the corresponding provider of the product or the like or the server of the selected provider. Specifically, when a beer coupon is selected by input as shown in FIG. 17, information specifying the brand or type of the selected beer with respect to the server of the provider that provides the beer, or The player's personal information (e-mail address, telephone number, name, address, etc.) can be transmitted as input related information. In this case, as described above, the communication control unit 41 functions as the input related information transmission unit.
[0242]
(Profit grant condition setting information)
Next, grant condition setting information for setting profit grant conditions will be described.
As the profit granting condition, one or two or more conditions may be determined to be unchangeable, or one or two or more conditions may be determined to be changeable. For example, when only “occurrence of jackpot” is set as the profit granting condition, the processing shown in FIG. 14 is performed based on the occurrence of jackpot as described above. Further, when the stored contents are changed so that the profit granting condition is “occurrence of reach” in the case of a configuration changeable setting, the processing as shown in FIG. 14 is performed for each occurrence of reach. .
[0243]
The conditions may be set as follows. In FIG. 22A, a plurality of profit granting conditions are defined, and corresponding advertisement information is displayed according to the establishment of each profit granting condition so as to grant profits. In FIG. 22 (a), in a configuration in which a big win is obtained when identification symbols such as numbers and pictures are in a predetermined combination, advertisement information is given correspondingly depending on the jackpot combination. Condition setting information is configured. Here, a group of profit granting information is defined corresponding to the jackpot symbol, and profit granting according to the symbol is made. Specifically, the group A selection information is displayed as shown in FIG. 17 (a) when the odd symbol is a big hit, and when the even symbol or the picture is a big hit, a different group B is displayed. , C selection information is displayed. Here, it is configured to further group into specific genres. That is, the profit granting information corresponding to the “food” genre is grouped into a plurality of types, and the profit granting conditions are defined for each group. In this way, in the advertisement information display process of FIG. 14 when the user (player) designates the genre of “food and drink”, the profit granting condition (that is, what kind of symbol is used to win) The group selection information can be displayed. In this way, it is possible to display various types of advertisement information and provide various types of profit-giving information, thereby increasing the fun and easily reflecting the user's needs.
[0244]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage means provided in the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 functions as the setting information storage means. Here, the nonvolatile memory 39 (FIG. 2, FIG. 2) is used. 5) is configured to store the grant condition setting information having the configuration as shown in FIG.
[0245]
In FIG. 22 (b), advertisement information and profit granting information according to the type of gaming state to be generated are provided. That is, a group is defined for each type of gaming state, and it is configured such that profit grant information for a corresponding group is provided in response to the occurrence of a specific gaming state. Here, when the reach occurs, the selection information of the group E is displayed in the same manner as in FIG. 17A, and in the special reach, the normal big hit, and the probability fluctuation big hit, a group different from the group E is selected. Information is displayed.
[0246]
Further, FIG. 22 (c) shows a configuration in which profits are given by the same company, and the profit-giving groups are different for each gaming state. For example, when a reach occurs, advertisement information and profit granting information of Group I, which is predetermined for reach, is provided for the company X. The advertisement information and profit granting information of the group J, which is determined for use, are provided. In this way, the contents of profit provision can be made different for each gaming state in the same company, and the service becomes more innovative. In addition, specific profit grant information may be used instead of a group. There may be only one such company, or multiple types of companies may be prepared. In this case, information as shown in FIG. 22C can be prepared for each company, and setting information corresponding to the company designated in advance by the user input process described above can be used.
[0247]
In the above example, an example in which a plurality of profit grant conditions are set as the grant condition setting information is shown. However, when a single condition is set as the profit grant condition and the condition is satisfied, A plurality of types of profit grant information may be output. For example, when the profit granting condition is “occurrence of jackpot” and this condition is satisfied, a single predetermined profit granting information or specific profit granting information designated by the user is provided. It is also possible to display specific selection information (for example, predetermined single selection information or selection information of a genre or manufacturer specified by the user) without using specific profit-giving information, You may make it choose either.
[0248]
Note that the group of profit grant information to be provided may not be determined in advance, and may be provided by being selected by lottery. For example, a lottery for selecting the type of profit granting information to be provided on condition that the jackpot is generated may be performed, and the type of profit granting information selected by the lottery may be output. For example, a predetermined number of advertisement information may be displayed in a selectable manner from among genres designated by the user, and may be selected from them. Further, lottery may be performed by a lottery means, and profit grant information may be provided when a specific lottery result is obtained.
[0249]
In addition, based on the fact that the update information of the provision condition setting information is input by information input through a communication network or information input using a predetermined input means, the provision condition setting information stored in the setting information storage means Setting information updating means for updating may be provided. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the CPU 36 functions as a setting information update unit. For example, update information for updating the grant condition setting information (for example, update information for storing another grant condition setting information instead of the grant condition setting information stored so far) is input from a predetermined input means. The contents of the setting information storage means may be updated based on the above. In addition, input of update information via the communication network outside the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 (for example, information input is performed in the hall server 401 shown in FIG. 2 and the update information is transmitted to the profit grant information providing apparatus 30). By performing (configuration), the stored content of the setting information storage means (here, the nonvolatile memory 39) may be updated.
[0250]
In the above description, the nonvolatile memory 39 is configured as the setting information storage unit. However, other storage units may function as the setting information storage unit. For example, it may be a hard disk drive or the like, which is stored in a movable storage medium (for example, stored in a mobile storage medium consisting of a card-like or stick-like semiconductor memory, a flexible disk, an optical A storage medium such as a readable disk may be used.
[0251]
Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, a profit granting information transmission main routine having a configuration in which input processing is not performed in advance as in the first embodiment is shown, and this processing can be used instead of FIG. FIG. 36 shows an example of the processing flow. When the profit granting condition is satisfied (here, a big hit occurs), a specific selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 37A (S910). Here, the occurrence of the big hit is the timing for displaying the selection information, and the CPU 36 functions as a selection information display timing setting means. Then, the external display control board 105A serving as the display control means performs control so that the selection information is displayed at a timing based on the selection information display timing setting means.
[0252]
Here, items corresponding to the user's points are displayed, and various genres are mixed. When the user selects any of them in S920 of FIG. 36, advertisement information and profit-giving information are provided as shown in FIG. The processes after S930 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this way, the configuration is convenient when the user does not want to select too many times, or when the store side or the manufacturer side wants to make a selection to some extent. Note that the configuration of the selection information (selection screen) provided in S910 is not limited to the example of FIG. 37, and may be various as long as information can be input by the player.
[0253]
<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, a configuration in which profit granting information storage means is provided outside the gaming machine 1 will be described. In addition, about the hardware structure of a profit provision information provision apparatus, the thing substantially the same as what was used for 1st Embodiment can be used. In the third embodiment, an external server is connected so as to be communicable with the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 or the gaming machine 1, and the profit grant information storage means is provided as an updatable storage means in the external server.
[0254]
In the example of FIG. 38, the hall server 401 is provided with profit grant information storage means. Here, the hard disk drive provided in the hall server 401 functions as the profit grant information storage means. When a predetermined profit granting condition is established, request information for requesting profit granting information is output from the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 unique to the gaming machine 1 to the hall server 401, and the hall server 401 acquires the request information. Profit grant information is output to the requester's profit grant information providing apparatus 30. The profit grant information providing apparatus 30 acquires the profit grant information by the profit grant information acquisition means, and outputs this profit grant information from the profit grant information output means (infrared light emitting unit 33). In the configuration of FIG. 38, setting information storage means for storing grant condition setting information as exemplified in FIG. 22 is also provided in the hall server 401, and the profit grant condition is transmitted when requesting the profit grant information. Like to do. And the profit grant information according to the profit grant condition sent from the profit grant information provision apparatus 30 is read based on the information memorize | stored in the setting information storage means, and the corresponding profit grant information is profit grant information provision apparatus 30 is transmitted.
[0255]
Further, not only the profit grant information storage means but also the advertisement information storage means may be arranged on the server side. In FIG. 38, the hall server 401 is provided with advertisement information storage means for storing advertisement information in a state where it can be updated. Specifically, a hard disk drive functions as the advertisement information storage means. And in the profit provision information provision apparatus 30, the advertisement information acquisition means which acquires advertisement information from this advertisement information storage means via a communication network is provided. In this configuration, the advertisement information distributed from the hall server is acquired by the advertisement information acquisition means and displayed on the external display device 105 as the second display means. In the configuration of FIG. 38, the CPU 36 functions as a profit grant information acquisition unit, an advertisement information acquisition unit, and a game information acquisition unit. More specifically, the CPU 36 and the communication control means 41 (LAN interface, router, etc.) cooperate to function as profit grant information acquisition means and advertisement information acquisition means, and the CPU 36, terminal 16, and interface 35 cooperate to play game information. It will function as an acquisition means.
[0256]
As a specific example of processing in such a configuration, provision condition setting information as shown in FIG. 22B is stored in the hard disk drive of the hall server 401. Then, for example, when a command indicating a normal jackpot is sent from the profit grant information providing device 30 to the hall server 401, the hall server 401 uses the grant condition setting information shown in FIG. The grant information is specified, and the advertisement information and the benefit grant information are transmitted to the request source benefit grant information providing apparatus 30. If it does in this way, it will become possible to provide profit grant information while displaying advertisement information in profit grant information providing device 30 which acquired advertising information and profit grant information.
[0257]
In addition, in the example of FIG. 39, instead of the hall server 401 of FIG. 38, an advertising information storage means and a profit grant are provided in a provider entity server (providing manufacturer server that provides profit grant information) 403 that provides profit grant information. A configuration is shown in which information storage means and setting information storage means are provided. Also in this case, similarly to FIG. 25, profit providing information and advertisement information are distributed from the providing means server 403 based on a request from the profit providing information providing apparatus 30. 39 is applied to the gaming machine maker server 405 shown in FIG. 1, and advertisement information and profit granting information are transmitted from the gaming machine maker server 405 to the profit granting information providing apparatus 30. (Refer to routes (3) and (6) in FIG. 1).
[0258]
<Fourth embodiment>
In the said embodiment, although the example which mainly uses infrared light as an information transmission medium was shown, you may comprise as follows using electromagnetic waves as a medium. Note that the method using the electromagnetic wave as a medium as described above can be applied to other embodiments described as a configuration using infrared communication.
[0259]
For example, it is good also as a structure which performs the radio | wireless communication by Bluetooth between the portable communication terminals in which the Bluetooth communication known as a near field communication technique which uses an electromagnetic wave as a medium is possible.
[0260]
More specifically, instead of the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 in the above-described embodiment, for example, Bluetooth that enables the gaming machine 1 to exchange weak radio waves of about 1 mW or less in the 2.47 GHz band. In addition to providing a module, an antenna module having directivity in a substantially vertical direction can be provided in an external region of the transparent plate 81 in the gaming machine 1 so that radio waves are output forward.
[0261]
The operation will be described. First, when a player who has a portable communication terminal capable of Bluetooth communication sits on a chair and the portable communication terminal enters the communication area of the antenna module, the gaming machine 1 or The card unit performs a normal authentication procedure in accordance with the Bluetooth standard such as transmission / reception of Bluetooth ID with the mobile communication terminal that has entered the area, and the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal is contactless via the Bluetooth unit. To receive and obtain. The obtained telephone number data of the mobile communication terminal is registered as an information terminal to be communicated and transmitted to the management computer. At this time, if for some reason the same phone number data is accidentally obtained in a plurality of adjacent gaming machines 1 or card units, is there a duplication with the already registered phone numbers? If there is a duplication, request a retransmission of the telephone number and register the communication target again. In this way, profit granting information is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal registered for communication by using weak radio waves in the 2.47 GHz band.
[0262]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to transmit at least the benefit grant information of the benefit grant information and the game information as in the other embodiments, and to receive this information at the mobile communication terminal. In addition, radio waves are radiated from the antenna module perpendicularly to the upper surface direction, and radio wave radiation is concentrated within a predetermined angle range on the upper surface of the antenna, so that almost no radio wave radiation is made outside the predetermined angle range. It is possible to prevent radio wave interference between adjacent antenna modules. Although the Bluetooth module has been described as an example here, other wireless communication methods (such as wireless LAN communication) using electromagnetic waves as a medium may be used as long as information communication is possible in the external area of the transparent plate.
[0263]
<Fifth Embodiment>
In the fifth embodiment, an example in which the method for outputting profit granting information is different from that in the above embodiment is shown, and otherwise the configuration substantially similar to that in the above embodiment can be used. The fifth embodiment has a configuration in which profit provision information is provided by being represented by identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and the like.
The profit grant information output means in the present embodiment displays the identification information (identification information consisting of the two-dimensional code in FIG. 40) represented as characters, graphics, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. as described above. In this case, the external display device 105 functions as the identification information display means, and the external display control board 105A controls the display of the identification information. It functions as a means.
[0264]
The identification information is configured to represent the profit granting information as predetermined code information, and the external display device 105 functioning as identification information display means uses this code information as information that can be photographed by the mobile communication terminal. Or, it is displayed as information that can be read by a reader provided in the mobile communication terminal. In the example of FIG. 40, the code information is displayed as information that can be photographed by the mobile communication terminal, and includes the code information CD by being photographed by the photographing device 230 provided in the mobile phone 200. Image information is stored in the memory of the mobile phone 200.
[0265]
In the example of FIG. 40, the code information is acquired by the photographing device 230 configured as a camera. However, a scanner (in this case, a two-dimensional code scanner) that reads the code information is provided inside the mobile phone 200. The code information provided and displayed may be directly read. In this case, the read information is not stored as image information but is stored in the memory in the mobile phone 200.
[0266]
Further, the profit grant information may be stored in advance in the profit grant information storage means as code information, and the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 may be provided with code information generating means for generating code information. In this case, the code information can be generated by the code information generation means based on the in-game machine generation information generated in the gaming machine during the game. In the present embodiment, the CPU and the code information creation program can function as code information generation means. Further, as the “in-game machine generation information”, for example, game information such as jackpot information, reach information, and the like can be used, and code information can be generated by the code information generation means based on the game information. Specifically, for example, data as shown in FIG. 16 can be coded (for example, two-dimensionally coded) to generate code information.
[0267]
As shown in FIG. 41, as in the case of FIG. 17, advertisement information is displayed based on the establishment of a predetermined profit granting condition (occurrence of jackpot here), and code information CD is included in a part of this advertisement information. Can be configured to display. The player takes this code information CD or obtains it by reading it with a scanner and presents it at the store. In the present embodiment, the code information is photographed by a camera, and when the image is displayed at a store, the code information is read by a scanner provided in the store and the information content can be confirmed.
[0268]
<Sixth Embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the advertisement information is displayed on the external display device 105 as the second display means has been exemplified. However, the first display means (display device 5) that performs an image effect relating to the game without doing this is shown. May be configured to be displayed. In this case, for example, the description information related to the advertisement information and the profit-giving information can be configured to be displayed as a partial image of the image effect related to the game such as the background image and the identification symbol. In this case, image information storage means for storing image information displayed on the first display means is provided, and the image information storage means includes an non-updatable storage section (configuration by ROM or the like) and an updatable storage section ( And a rewritable nonvolatile memory or the like). And it is good to make it possible to memorize | store and update advertisement information in the updateable memory | storage part. Further, the explanation information related to the profit grant information may be stored in the updatable storage unit, and the explanation information related to the profit grant information may be displayed in association with the advertisement information or independently. As described above, even in the configuration in which the display is performed by the first display unit, the image effect by the first display unit and the display of the advertisement information can be performed in parallel.
[0269]
<Seventh embodiment>
In addition, the method for updating the profit granting information may be as follows.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a hall server 401 of a hall in which a plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed is connected so as to be able to communicate information with the plurality of gaming machines 1, and profit granting information is exchanged with the hall server 401. The system is configured such that a provider entity server 403 provided on the provider entity side such as a provider to provide is connected via a communication network. Then, based on the input of the request information for requesting the update information from the input device provided on the hall server 401 side, the request information is sent to the provider main server 403, and the request information is acquired. The update information is downloaded from the main server 403 toward the hall server 401. If it does in this way, it will become the structure which can acquire the update information provided from a management body in the hall server 401, and it will become a structure which is easy to update on the management body side, and has high maintainability. In addition, the hall server 401 can manage update information, and it becomes extremely easy to manage advertisement information in the hall.
[0270]
Further, in such a gaming system, the update information is distributed from the hall server 401 that has acquired the update information to the game machine 1 that is the update target, and thereby the profit grant information storage provided in the game machine 1 that is the update target The contents of the means can be configured to be updated. In this way, in the configuration in which the profit granting information storage means is arranged in the gaming machine 1, the configuration is easy to update.
[0271]
<Eighth Embodiment>
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described.
In the eighth embodiment, an example will be described in which the profit grant information providing device 30 is arranged in a form connected to the gaming machine 1 in the vicinity of the outside of the gaming machine 1.
In FIG. 42, the profit granting information providing device 30 is connected to the gaming machine 30 via a communication line 117 extending from the gaming machine 1. The profit grant information providing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment is configured to include at least a profit grant information output means (here, the infrared light emitting unit 22). In the example of FIG. 42, in addition to the profit grant information output means, A display device 115 outside the gaming machine which is a display device outside the gaming machine is provided in the profit grant information providing device 30, and the profit grant information providing device 30 is configured as an integrated unit. As a connection configuration between the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 and the gaming machine 1, the communication path may be detachable using a connector or the like. For example, a terminal for external connection is provided in the gaming machine 1 or a peripheral device of the gaming machine 1, and the profit-giving information providing device 30 is detachably connected to the terminal for external connection (for example, connector connection). Good. For example, the external connection terminal may be arranged so as to be exposed on the front surface of the gaming machine 1 or the gaming machine 1, or may be arranged in an invisible form inside the gaming machine 1 or the peripheral device. You may do it.
[0272]
Here, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 is shown connected to only the gaming machine 1, but a communication control device (LAN card or the like) for connecting the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 to an external device via a LAN is shown. It may be provided and connected to the hall server 401 or the like. Further, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 may be connected to a router or the like and connected to various servers (providing entity server, gaming machine manufacturer server, etc.) via the Internet.
[0273]
FIG. 43 shows another example in which the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 is connected to the gaming machine 1 in the vicinity of the outside of the gaming machine 1. The configuration of FIG. 43 shows a configuration in which the profit granting information providing device 30 is provided inside a peripheral device of the gaming machine 1 (here, a ball lending device 119 disposed between the gaming machines). FIG. 42 and FIG. 43 are different in arrangement position of the profit provision information providing device 30, but can be configured in the same manner.
[0274]
<Ninth Embodiment>
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described.
In the ninth embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a profit granting information providing apparatus 30 is provided inside or near the outside of a gaming machine 300 configured as a slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 44, the basic configuration of the gaming machine 300 includes variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying the identification information strings 308 to 310 composed of a plurality of identification information, and the starting operation means. The identification information is dynamically displayed due to the operation of the operation lever 306 (for example, the operation lever 306). (For example, identification information 308A, 308B, 308C) is stopped and the special gaming state advantageous to the player is provided on the condition that the confirmed identification information at the time of the suspension is specific identification information (for example, 777). There are those provided with special game state generating means for generating. In this case, examples of game media include coins and medals.
[0275]
In the gaming machine 300 configured as such a slot machine, a profit granting information providing apparatus 30 including a profit granting information output means (infrared light emitting unit 33) similar to the above embodiment is provided in the vicinity of the display device 305. It has been. The hardware configuration of the profit provision information providing device 30 can be the same as that of the first embodiment or other embodiments. More specifically, the configuration is such that the display device 305 and the infrared light emitting unit 33 are arranged inside the same housing 320 so as to be incorporated in the housing 320, and the infrared light emitting unit 33 is disposed in the housing 320. It is configured to be exposed to the outside. In the example of FIG. 44, a plurality of operation buttons 311 are provided in the vicinity of the display device 305 as operation means for performing operations related to information communication or other operations. Here, the profit granting information providing device 30 and the display device 305 are configured as separate devices. However, even in the gaming machine 300 configured as a slot machine in this way, the profit granting information is provided as in other embodiments. The display device 305 is arranged in the providing device 30 and the profit providing information providing device 30 can be configured as a unit including the display device (for example, a unit configuration as indicated by a broken line portion Y). Further, even in the case of such a slot machine, the profit granting information providing device 30 can be arranged in the vicinity of the outside of the gaming machine 300, for example, may be arranged independently as shown in FIG. You may arrange | position inside a peripheral device like FIG.
[0276]
<Tenth Embodiment>
A tenth embodiment will be described.
In the tenth embodiment, an output configuration of profit grant information different from the above-described embodiment will be described. The configuration other than the output configuration can be substantially the same as the other embodiments.
FIG. 45 shows an example in which an image including explanatory information related to profit granting as profit granting information (in FIG. 45, an explanatory image showing the contents of a coupon ticket) is displayed. As shown in FIG. This image data is acquired by photographing with the photographing device 230 of the camera, and a profit can be received by presenting a photographed image as shown on the monitor 206 in FIG. It is like that. Here, the gaming machine ID (shown as gaming machine 12345) and the time when the profit is given are given as unique information, and are displayed in the explanation information image. When a player presents an image at a store, the store can confirm when the profit-giving information is provided from which gaming machine. Also, player identification information (here, the player's name) for identifying the player is given and displayed in the image, so it is possible to confirm to whom the benefit grant information is given. It has a configuration. The player specifying information may be a player ID that is uniquely given to each player. Further, the unique information provided may include a transmission counter value as shown in the first embodiment. In addition, the code information as shown in the fifth embodiment may be displayed on a part of the image of the explanation information related to the profit grant as shown in FIG. 45 so that the code information can also be used.
[0277]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
[0278]
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the profit granting condition is a condition based on the state generated in the gaming machine has been mainly described, but other conditions may be used. For example, profit granting conditions may be output when a certain time is reached, and profit granting information may be output on the condition that the time is reached. Further, regardless of the game, the profit granting information may be output on condition that some information is input from the player.
[0279]
(2) In the above embodiment, the profit grant information providing device 30 is provided with the notification lamp 31, but the notification lamp 31 is omitted, and the profit grant information is obtained only by displaying a message on the screen of the external display device 105. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports that there exists. Other notification methods (for example, notification by voice or moving a predetermined character) may be used.
[0280]
(3) In the above configuration, an example of a gaming system including a gaming machine and various devices connected thereto is shown, but a gaming system may be configured by a single gaming machine. Moreover, although the structure which connects a profit provision information provision apparatus with a hall server or an external server was illustrated, you may make it not connect with these.
[0281]
(4) In the above embodiment, the profit granting information providing device 30 acquires a signal representing a gaming state such as a jackpot signal via the output terminals 16 a to d provided on the external connection terminal plate 16. Alternatively, a dedicated communication line may be provided separately from the control device 21 to obtain a jackpot signal or the like. The communication line in this modification is a communication line dedicated to output from the main board constituting the control device 21 or a communication line provided between the control board 21 and an unauthorized signal is input to the main board. The structure prevents this.
(5) In any of the above-described embodiments, the advertisement information can be configured to include at least the advertisement information for the predetermined first area and the advertisement information for the second area having a different area range. It is possible to provide area switching means for switching the advertisement information to be switched between the advertisement information for the first area and the advertisement information for the second area. Moreover, it can comprise so that the information for selection for predetermined | prescribed 1st area | regions and the information for selection of 2nd areas different from this may be included at least. As described above, if the selection information is provided for a plurality of regions, the selection information corresponding to the regions can be displayed.
[0282]
(6) In any of the above embodiments, control can be performed so that advertisement information is displayed in a predetermined advertisement time zone. For example, advertisement information or selection information can be displayed on condition that a predetermined advertisement time zone is reached. In any of the embodiments, it is possible to control so that different advertisement information according to the time zone or different selection screens according to the time zone is displayed. For example, in the process of S910 in FIG. 36, a different selection screen may be displayed depending on the time zone.
[0283]
(7) In the above embodiment, the profit grant information is transmitted between the profit grant information providing apparatus 30 and the mobile phone 200 by wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the profit is provided to the mobile phone 200 by wired communication. You may comprise so that provision information may be transmitted. For example, by providing a mobile phone holder provided with a connection terminal in the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 and placing the mobile phone 200 on the mobile phone holder, the connection terminal of the mobile phone holder and the connection terminal of the mobile phone 200 are connected. It is good also as a structure which can be connected and can perform wired communication.
[0284]
(8) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the mobile phone 200 is used as the mobile communication terminal is shown. However, various mobile communication terminals such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and PHS can be used in addition to the mobile phone. is there.
[0285]
(9) In the above embodiment, the transmission counter value is used to assign a unique value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, information that can be individually identified is created and transmitted as a signal that can be received by the mobile communication terminal. For example, the profit granting information providing apparatus 30 may have a built-in clock, and time point data indicating the output time point of information may be used as a component. FIG. 20A shows an example of storage of game state data and time point data in the game state storage area 38a in this variation, and FIG. 20B shows an example of storage of game information received by the mobile phone 200. is there. According to this modified example, unique information that does not cause duplication can be easily and reliably created based on time point data representing an output time point of information.
[0286]
(10) In the above embodiment, the profit grant information is transmitted without specifying the player. However, the player identification information such as the member ID is transmitted from the mobile phone 200, and the profit grant information is provided. You may comprise so that profit provision information may be transmitted on the condition that the player was specified by receiving in the apparatus 30. FIG. In this case, for example, when a player is specified, an explanation of an operation method for receiving profit granting information is displayed on the screen 5a of the display device 5. When a player is not specified, a gaming machine manufacturer You may make it display the advertisement information which solicits to become a member by accessing the Internet homepage. Alternatively, when a player is specified by a member ID or the like, value-added information may be added to the profit-giving information and transmitted. Further, at the time of outputting the profit granting information, the profit granting information and the player specifying information may be transmitted to the server on the provider side to help prevent fraud. In this case, when collation is performed at the store, if there is a presentation from a person other than the proper acquirer, it can be determined to be illegal. Further, the input related information as described above may be transmitted to the external server so as to include such player identification information.
[0287]
(11) In the above-described embodiment, the normal big hit is generated twice consecutively during the high probability mode, and the transition to the low probability mode is made. However, the normal big hit is generated once. It is good also as a structure which changes to low probability mode.
[0288]
(12) In the above embodiment, the first type gaming machine or the slot machine has been described as an example to which the profit granting information providing device is attached. However, the second type gaming machine, the third type gaming machine, the general electric role, Or it can apply to all things, such as what applied the arrangement ball to the pachinko machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of a gaming system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating functions of the gaming system of FIG.
3 is a perspective view conceptually showing an example of a gaming machine used in the gaming system of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a game board in the gaming machine.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a profit grant information providing apparatus
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the hall server
FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a mobile phone.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobile phone
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a special electric accessory control routine.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a continuation of FIG. 9 of the special electric accessory control routine.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a symbol variation start processing routine;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an establishment variation processing routine;
FIG. 13 is a chart showing a detection example of a probability changing signal, a jackpot signal and a probability changing jackpot signal;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a profit granting information transmission main routine.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an information transmission processing routine;
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of the transmission buffer (game information and profit granting information data structure) and a transmission buffer storage example;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying advertisement information
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a message display example on a mobile phone
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of storing profit grant information received by a mobile phone;
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which game state data and time point data are stored in a modification example;
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of advertisement information and profit grant information
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating some examples of the configuration of the grant condition setting information
FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the configuration on the back side of the glass door frame.
FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an arrangement example different from FIG.
FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an arrangement example different from FIGS.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of user input processing;
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of a user setting screen.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of point inquiry processing
FIG. 29 is a diagram following FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is an explanatory view showing a screen example of mode change processing;
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of genre selection processing;
FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of manufacturer selection processing;
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a storage configuration of user setting information
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a configuration example of player data
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration example different from FIG.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of a profit grant information transmission main routine according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a display example in the second embodiment.
FIG. 38 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an internal function according to an example of the third embodiment.
FIG. 39 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the internal function in an example different from FIG. 38 of the third embodiment.
FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating an output configuration of profit grant information according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a display example of advertisement information and profit grant information (code information) in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of a profit granting information providing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.
43 is a diagram showing an example different from FIG. 42 in the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a ninth embodiment
FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example in the tenth embodiment;
FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of use of profit grant information in the tenth embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Game machine
5. Display device (first display means)
5A: Image display control board (first display control means)
21A ... main board (main controller)
30 ... Profit-giving information providing device
33. Infrared light emitting unit (profit giving information output unit, wireless transmission unit, medium output unit)
34 ... Infrared light receiving unit (player specific information acquisition means)
36 ... CPU (profit granting information reading means, code information generating means, profit granting information updating means, advertisement information updating means, setting information updating means, advertisement mode switching means, profit granting information acquisition means, advertisement information acquisition means, game information acquisition Means, provision mode switching means, state detection means, selection information display timing setting means)
39... Non-volatile memory (profit giving information storage means, advertisement information storage means, setting information storage means)
41 ... Communication control means (player data acquisition means, input related information transmission means)
43 ... Information input device (player input means)
100 ... Game system
105 ... External display device (predetermined display device, second display means, profit-giving information output means, identification information display means)
105A ... External display control board (display control means, advertisement display control means, selection information changing means)
109A to 109F ... Advertising index (index for advertising information, profit granting information individual index)
114A-114H ... Advertising group index by genre (index for advertising information, profit group index)
115A to 114F: Advertising group index by manufacturer (index for advertising information, profit group index)
200: Mobile phone (mobile communication terminal)
401 ... Hall server (external server)
403 ... Provider server (external server)
405 ... gaming machine manufacturer server (external server)

Claims (2)

A profit granting information providing apparatus for providing a predetermined profit as information to a player,
Corresponding to the gaming machine, it is provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and outputs profit granting information for giving a profit to the player such as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate to a predetermined portable communication terminal. Providing profit grant information output means,
The profit grant information output as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal, the profit grant information read based on the establishment of a predetermined profit grant condition from the profit grant information storage means in which the profit grant information is stored as electronic data Configured to output from the means,
Furthermore, a player input means configured to allow information input by the player,
A profit providing information providing apparatus comprising: selection means for making a predetermined selection based on information input by the player input means. A profit granting information providing apparatus for providing a predetermined profit as information to a player,
Corresponding to the gaming machine, it is provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and outputs profit granting information for giving a profit to the player such as a coupon ticket or a gift certificate to a predetermined portable communication terminal. Profit grant information output means, and the profit grant information output means reads the profit grant information read based on the establishment of a predetermined profit grant condition from the profit grant information storage means in which the profit grant information is stored as electronic data. , Configured to output as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal,
The profit grant information is configured as identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes,
The profit granting information output means comprises identification information display means for outputting the identification information in an image display,
Furthermore, a player input means configured to allow information input by the player,
A profit providing information providing apparatus comprising: selection means for making a predetermined selection based on information input by the player input means.

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